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LIBRARY 

OF   THE 

Theological   Seminary, 

PRINCETON,    N.  J. 

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A  N 

•ESSAY 

ON  THE 

LIFE 

OF 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 

COMMAjStDER  IK   CHIEF 

OF    THE 

AMERICAN     ARMY, 

THROUGH  THE  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR  ; 


AND    THE 


FIRST  PRESIDENT 


UNITED     STATES. 


BY   AARON  BANCROFT,  a.  a.  s. 

fASrOR    OF  A    CONGREGAriOlTAL    CHURCH   IN    tVORCESTES. 


WORC  ESTER .;._, 
PRINTED  BY  THOMAS  &  STURTEVANT, 
SOLD  BY  THOMAS  AND  ANDREWS,  I.  THOMAS  AND  I.THOMAS,  JUJ»^ 
OCTOBER 1807. 


i 


DISTRICT  OF  MASSACHUSETTS....TO  wit  : 
©--^Q     BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  that  on  the  nineteenth 

(  L.  S.  )  day  of  September,  in  the  thinysecond  year  of  the  Independence  of 

©V, ^0  the  United  States  of  America,  Aaron   Bancroft  of  the  said  Dis- 

ttict,  has  deposited  in  this  Office  the  Tiile  of  a  Book  the  Right  whereof  he 
claims  as  Author  in  the  Words  following,  te  tuit  :  "  An  tssay  on  the  Life 
of  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  American  Ar- 
my, through    the  Revolutionary   War,  aad  the  first  President  of  the  United 

By  AARON  BANCROFT,  a.  a.  s. 

Pastor  of  a  Congregational  Church  in    Worcester." 
In  Conformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Conp;ress  of  the  United 

States  ;  intitled,  "  An  Act  for  the  Encouragement  of  Learning,  by  fecuring 
the  Copies  of  Maps,  Charts  and  Books,  to  the  Authors  and  Proprietors  of 
such  Copies,  during  the  Times  therein  mentioned  ;"  and  alfo  to  an  Act  in- 
titled,  "  An  Act  supplementary  to  an  Act,  intitled  An  Act  for  the  Encour- 
agement of  Learning,  by  securing  the  Copies  of  Maps,  Charts  and  Books,  to 
the  Author,  and  Proprietors  of  iuch  Coppies  during  the  times  therein  men- 
tioned ;  and  extending  ihe  Benefits  thereof  to  the  Arts  of  Designing,  Engrav- 
ing and  Etching,  Historical  and  other  Prints," 

WILLIAM  S.  SHAW, 

Clerk  oj  the  District  ofMtssachmetts, 


PREFACE. 


THE  following  publication  originated  in  the  author'' s 
wish  to  place  within  reach  of  the  great  body  of  his  country. 
men,  an  authentick  biography  of  General  WASHINGTO N. 

Judge  Marshall,  t?i  his  valuable  life  of  this  illustrious 
patriot,  has  etnbraced  not  ohly  the  settlement  and  general  his^ 
tory  oj  the  North  American  Colonies  ;  but  also  the  political 
history  sj  the  United  States.  His  work  is  therefore  necessa^ 
rily  too  expensive  to  be  obtained  by  all  classes  of  American 
people.  The  writer  of  these  memoirs  apprehended,  that 
by  publishing  the  life  of  WASHINGTON  in  one  volume, 
reasonable  in  its  price,  he  should  enable  those  of  his  fellow 
citizens ^  who  are  not  in  possession  of  Marshall,  to  leave  to 
their  posterity  a  memorial  oj  a  inan,  who  was  preeminently 
distinguished  as  a  Soldier  and  Statesman. 

General  WASHINGTON  was  from  his  youth  devoted  to 
his  country,  his  character  therejore  cannot  be  pourtrayed,  with- 
out bringing  into  view  many  important  publick  transactions. 
The  plan  of  the  writer  has  been  to  notice  no  individual  or 
event,  further  than  was  necessary  to  display  the  principal 
character. 

He  has  made  Judge  Marshall  his  leading  authority  for 
facts,  and  has  in  some  measure  followed  him  in  the  order  of 
events.  The  histories  of  the  war  by  Doctors  Ramsay  and 
Gordon,  and  several  original  zuritings  have  been  consulted i 
but  he  trusts,  that  greater  liberty  has  not  been  taken  with  any 
of  them  than  is  fair  and  honou  ruble*    The  jew  jacts,  which 


PREFACE. 

have  not  before  been  published,  were  received  immediately  from 
confidential  friends  of  General  WASHINGTON,  or  from  gen- 
tlemen who,  in  respectable  official  situations,  were  members  of 
his  family  during  his  military  command. 

Jt  has  been  the  endeavour  of  the  author  to  display  tht 
character  of  the  man  who  is  the  subject  oj  the  work,  by  exhib- 
iting in  a  connected  view  his  actions  and  his  writings  ;  and  he 
has,  as  Jar  as  possible,  7nade  this  exhibition  in  the  person  of 
General  WASHINGTON. 

He  has  not  conceived  that  he  was  writing  for  men  of  eru- 
dition, but  for  the  unlettered  portion  of  the  commurtity  ;  and 
he  has  for  their  benefit  more  particularly  studied  simplicity  of 
style.  Should  he  be  so  happy  as  to  obtain  their  approbation, 
he  will  receive  an  ample  rezvard  of  his  labour. 

He  entertains  no  expectation  of  acquiring  literary  fame  by 
this  publication  ;  but  he  hopes  to  escape  the  disgrace  of  hav- 
ing written  an  useless  book. 

WoRCMS^ER^  Massachusetts,  Oetobevy  1807* 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

His  Birth... .Education,... Appointed  an  Adjutant  General  oi 
the  Militia.. ..His  Embassy  to  the  Ohio. ...Commissioned  as 
Lieutenant  Colonel  of  a  regular  Regiment. ...Surprises  a 
detachment  of  French  troops. ...Capitulation  of  Fort  Ne-' 
cessity....He  is  appointed  a  volunteer  Aid  de  camp  to 
General  BRADDOCK....His  bravery  in  the  action  in  which 
that  General  fell. ...He  is  appointed  the  Colonel  of  a  regi- 
ment, and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Virginia  troops.... 
His  eftbrts  to  defend  the  frontiers. ...His  exertions  in  the 
expedition  under  General  Forbes  to  gain  possession  of 
Fort  du  Quesne. ...Resigns  his  commission  -  -  -  Page    I 

CHAPTER   H. 

Colonel  Washington's  Marriage. ...His  Management  of 
the  Estate  of  Mount  Vernon....  Appointed  a  Judge  of  the 
County  Court,  and  a  Member  of  the  Virginia  Legislature 
....Chosen  a  member  of  the  first  Congress... .Appointed 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  American  Forces.. ..Arrives 
at  Camp.. ..Arranges  the  Army. ...Deficiency  of  Arms  and 
Ammunition.. ..Colonel  Arnold  detached  to  Quebec. ...Suc- 
cess of  American  Cruisers.. ..Evils  of  temporary  Inlist- 
ments....An  attack  on  the  Enemy's  Posts  meditated.... 
Possession  taken  of  the  Heights  of  Dorchester....Boston 
evacuated    -----------.--.. ..     33 


4  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  III. 

General  Washikgton  marches  the  Army  to  New  York.... 
.  Fortifications  of  the  City  and  River.. ..Independence  de- 
clared....General  Howe  lands  on  Staten  Island. ...Interview 
between  General  Washington  and  Colonel  Patterson.... 
State  of  the  British  and  American  Forces.. ..Camp  at 
Brooklyn. ...Battle  on  Long  Island. ...Retreat  from  it. ...The 
City  and  Island  of  New  York  evacuated... .Manoeuvres  at 
White  Plains.... Fort  Washington  taken  ...General  Howe 
invades  New  Jersey. ...Depression  of  the  Americans.... 
General  Washington  invested  with  new  Powers.. ..Suc- 
cess at  Trenton,  and  at  Pi'inceton....New  Jersey  recov- 
ered  . -71 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Oeneral  Washington  disposes  his  small  force  for  the  pro- 
tection of  New  Jersey.. ..Army  Innoculated....  Abuse  of  A- 
merican  prisoners.. ..The  Exchange  of  General  Lee  re- 
fused....Stores  at  Peck's  Kill  and  Danbury  destroyed...^ 
American  Army  takes  post  at  Middlebrook....Sir  William 
Howe  moves  tov/ards  the  Delaware. ...Returns  to  Staten 
Island  and  embarks  his  troops.. ..He  lands  at  tlie  Head  of 
Elk. ...General  Washington  marches  to  meet  him. ...Bat- 
tle of  Brandywine....Efrect  of  a  Storm. ...British  take  pos- 
session of  Philadelphia.. ..Mud  Island  and  Red  Bank  forti- 
fied  Obstructions  in  the  River... .Attack  on  Mud  Island 

....Count  Donop  defeated. ...British  surmount  the  Fortifi- 
cations of  the  River.. ..Plan  to  attack  Philadelphia... .Sir 
"W^iDiHrn  Howe  reconnoitres  the  American  Camp  at 
Whi'e  Marsh. ...The  Army  hutted  at  Valley  Forge. ...The 
Privationsof  the  Soldiers  during  the  Winter  -  -  -  .  13S 

CHAPTER   V. 

ProgresB  and  issue  of  the  Northern  Campaign. ...Plan  to  dis- 
place General  Washington. ...His  Correspondence  on 
Ihe  Srbject... .Letter  of  General  Gates. ...Remonstrance  of 
the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  against  closing  tlie  Cam- 


CONTENTS.  iii 

paign... .Observations  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  upon 
5t.... Sufferings  of  the  army  for  the  want  of  Provisions  and 
Clothing... .Measures  adopted  by  the  Commander  in  Chief 
to  obtain  Supplies. ...Methods  taken  to  recruit  the  Army 
....Sir  Henry  Clinton  appointed  Commander  in  Chief  of  the 
British  Forces.. ..He  evacuates  Philadelphia,  and  march- 
es through  New  Jersey  to  New  York.. ..General  Wash- 
ington pui'sues  him. ...Battle  of  Monmouth... .Thanks  of 
Congress  to  the  General  and  Army. ...General  Lee  cen- 
sured....He  demands  a  Court  Martial,  and  is  suspended 
from  his  command.. ..French  Fleet  appears  on  the  Amer- 
ican Coast. ...Expedition  against  Rhode  Island.. ..It  fails.... 
Disaffectioi)  between  the  American  and  French  Officers 
....Measures  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  to  prevent  the  ill 
consequences  of  it. ...Army  goes  into  Winter  Quarters  in 
the  High  Lands  -  ....  r  --------  --.-.-  ,    168 

CHAPTER  VI, 

Plan  formed  by  Congress  and  the  French  Minister  for  the 
invasion  of  Canada  and  Nova  Scotia.. ..General  Washing- 
ton's objections  to  it. ...Delinquency  of  the  United  States 
to  prepare  for  the  approaching  campaign... .The  exertions 
of  the  General. ...His  Letter  on  the  State  of  the  Nation.... 
The  Remonstrance  of  Officers  belonging  to  the  New  Jer- 
sey Brigade  to  the  Legislature  of  that  State..., Letters  of 
the  Cominander  in  Chief  on  the  Subject. ...Expedition  a- 
gainst  the  Indians  under  General  Sullivan. ...He  destroys 
their  Towns. ...The  American  Army  posted  for  the  De- 
fence of  the  High  Lands  on  the  North  River,  and  for  the 
protection  of  the  Country  against  the  incursions  of  the 
British. ...Sir  Henry  Clinton  moves  up  the  Hudson,  takes 
possession  of  Stony  and  Verplank  Points,  and  fortifies 
them.... Arrangements  made  for  Assaulting  these  posts.... 
General  Wayne  carries  Stony  Point  by  Storm.. ..The  At- 
tack upon  Verplank  fails. ...Congress  vote  their  thanks  to 
General  Washington  and  to  the  brave  Troops  employ- 
ed in  this  service. ...They  vote  General  Wayne  a  Medal 
^...Evils  of  short  Inlistments....Plan  of  the  General's  to 


iv  CONTENTS. 

remedy  them.. ..The  Army  in  two  Divisions  erect  huts 
for  winter  quarters,  one  near  West  Point,  and  the  other 
at  Morristown  in  New  Jersey. ...The  troops  suffer  through 
the  scarcity  of  Provisions.. ..Colonel  Wadsworth  resigns 
his  Office... .Confusion  in  the  Commissary's  department 
....The  Commander  in  Chief  is  necessitated  to  apportion 
supplies  of  Meat  and  Flour  upon  the  Counties  of  New 
Jersey.. ..The  winter  excessively  cold,  and  the  waters  a- 
round  New  York  frozen  over  ;  but  the  Commander  in 
Chief  is  too  weak  to  avail  himself  of  this  opportunity  to 
Assail  the  British  Posts.. ..Expedition  to  Staten  Island 
fails 20S 

CHAPTER   VII. 

Amount  of  Paper  Emission.. ..Congress  destitute  of  Means 
to  support  the  War... .Supplies  apportioned  upon  the 
States. ...Exertions  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  ...Mutiny 
in  a  part  of  the  Army. ...The  British  make  an  Excursion 
into  New  Jersey. ...The  American  Troops  bravely  resist 
them. ...The  Court  of  France  promises  a  Naval  and  Land 
Armament  to  act  in  America.. ..Preparation  to  Cooperate 
with  it.. ..A  French  Squadron  arrives  on  the  American 
Coast.. ..Count  Rochambeau  lands  at  Newport  with  five 
thousand  Men.. ..The  American  and  French  Commanders 
meet  at  Hartford  to  settle  the  Plan  of  the  Campaign.... 
The  Second  Division  of  the  French  Troops  fails... .Gener- 
al Arnold  becomes  a  Traitor. ...He  Corresponds  with  Ma- 
jor Andre.... Andre  comes  on  Shore  at  West  Point. ...At- 
tempts to  return  to  New  York  by  land. ...He  is  taken  into 
Custody  by  three  Militia  Men.. ..A  Board  of  General  Of- 
ficers Condemn  him.. ..He  is  executed. ...Letter  of  Gen- 
eral Washington  on  the  State  of  the  Army. ...Congress 
adopts  a  Military  Establishment  for  the  W^ar....The  Ar- 
my goes  into  Winter  Quarters 233 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Arnold  is  appointed  a  Brigadier  in  the  British  service,  and 
jnyades  Virginia.. ..Plan  to  capture  him. ...Mutiny  in  ths 


CONTENTS.  V 

American  camp... .Violence  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line.... 
Order  restored.. ..Weak  state  of  the  Army. ...The  French 
Court  grants  a  Loan  to  the  United  States.  ...Exertion  of  the 
States  to  enable  the  General  to  open  the  Campaign. ...The 
French  Troops  march  to  the  American  Camp. ...Plan  to 
surprize  the  British  Post  at  King's  Bridge. ...Expedition  to 
Virginia. ...Count  de  Grasse  arrives  in  the  Chesapeake.... 
Yorktown  besieged. ...British  Redoubts  stormed.. ..The 
British  make  a  Sortie. ...Lord  Cornwallis  attempts  to  es- 
cape....He  capitulates  and  surrenders  his  Posts. ...Indeci- 
sive Action  between  the  French  and  English  Fleets.... Sir 
Jlenry,  too  late,  embarks  his  Troops  for  Yorktown.... 
Thanks  of  Congress  to  the  American  and  French  Com- 
manders, and  to  the  Army. ...General  St.  Clair  dispatched 
to  Carolina. ...The  other  Corps  of  the  Army  return  to  the 
Neighbourhood  of  New  York,  and  go  into  Winter  Quar- 
ters     26r 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Preparations  for  another  Campaign. ...Sir  Guy  Carlton  ar- 
rives at  New  York,  and  announces  the  vote  of  Parliament 
to  acknowledge  American  Independence. ...Army  anxious 
for  their  pay.... Anonymous  Address  exciting  them  to  a 
Revolt....General  Washington  convenes  and  addresses 
the  Officers. ...Their  I'esolutions.. ..Preliminary  articles  of 
peace  received. ...Cessation  of  Hostilities  proclaimed.... 
General  Washington  addresses  a  Circular  Letter  t« 
the  Executives  of  the  several  States.. ..Army  disbanded.... 
New  Levies  of  Pennsylvania  revolt. ...The  Commander  in 
Chief  enters  New  York. ...Takes  leaves  of  his  Officers.... 
Resigns  his  Commission  to  the  President  of  Congress.... 
Retires  to  Mount  Vernon ------291 

CHAPTER  X. 

General  Washington  in  Retirement.. ..His  pursuits. ...Votes 
of  Congress  and  of  the  Legislatvire  of  Virginia  respecting 
|iim....His  Visitors  and  Correspondents. ...His"Plans  to  ini- 


vi  CONTENTS. 

prove  the  Navigation  of  the  Potomack  and  James'  Rivei-» 
....Declines  the  grant  of  Virginia.. ..His  Advice  to  the  Cin- 
cinnati....State  of  Publick  Affairs.. ..National  Convention.... 
General  Washington  its  President.. ..Federal  Constitu- 
tion recommended  and  adopted.. ..General  Washingtoit 
requested  to  consent  to  administer  \he  Government. ...He 
is  chosen  President  of  the  United  States. ...Sets  out  for 
the  Seat  of  Government.. ..Attention  shown  him  on  his 
Journey. ...His  Reception  at  New  York  .,  r  .,  -  -  -  ,  328 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Inauguration  of  the  President. ...His  Address  to  Congress..., 
Answers  of  the  two  Houses. ...The  Arrangements  of  his 
Household.. ..His  Regulations  for  Visitors... .The  Reasons 
of  their  adoption. ...The  Relations  of  the  United  States 
with  Foreign  Powers.... Congress  establishes  the  Depart- 
ments of  the  Government.. ..The  President  fills  them.... 
He  visits  New  England. ...His  Reception.. ..Addresses  to 
him. ...His  Answers. ...Negotiations  with  the  Indians.... 
Treaty  with  the  Creeks. ...War  with  the  Wabash  and  Mi- 
amis  Tribes.. ..General  Harmar's  Expedition. ...St.  Clair 
defeated.. ..General  Wayne  victorious  and  makes  a  Treaty 
with  tliem.. ..Second  Session  of  Congress. ...Fiscal  Ar- 
rangements of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. ...Indisposi- 
tion of  the  President. ...He  visits  Mount  Vernon. ...Meets 
Congress  at  Pliiladelphia....His  Tour  to  the  Southern 
States. ...Second  Congress. ...The  President  refuses  his 
Signature  to  the  Representative  Bill. ...Contemplates  re- 
tiring to  Private  Life. ...Consents  to  be  a  Candidate  for 
the  Second  Presidency ...-..-,    267 

CHAPTER  XII. 

General  Washington  reelected  President... .State  of  Par- 
ties....Division  in  the  Cabinet. ...The  President  endeavours 
to  promote  union. ...Influence  of  the  French  Revolution.... 
Measures  to  secure  the  Neutrality  of  the  United  States 
in  the  War  between  France  and  England.. ..Mr.  Genet's 
illegal  practices.... He  insults  the  Government.. ..The  Ex- 


CONTENTS.  Yli 

ecutive  restricts  him. ...He  appeals  to  the  People. ...They 
support  the  Administration. ...The  President  determines 
to  arrest  Genet.. ..He  is  recalled. ...Negotiation  with 
Britain. ...Insurrection  in  Pennsylvania....  Democratick 
Societies. ...British  Treaty. ...Coinmunication  between 
the  French  Executive  and  the  Legislature  of  the 
United  States. ...The  President  refuses  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  the  Papers  respecting  Diplomatic  trans- 
actions....His  interpositions  in  favour  of  the  Marquis  La 
Fayette.. ..Takes  the  Son  of  the  Marquis  under  his  Pro- 
tection and  Patronage --    40S 

CHAPTER  XIH. 

The  President  calumniated.... His  Letter  to  Mr.Jefferson.... 
Statement  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. ...The  French 
Directory's  attempt  to  control  the  American  Government 
....Review  of  the  transactions  with  France. ...The  Presi- 
dent declares  his  resolution  to  retire  from  Publick  Life.... 
Meets  Congress  for  the  last  Time. ...Describes  the  Let- 
ters that  had  been  forged.... Attends  the  Inauguration  of 
Mr.  Adams...  Retires  to  Mount  Vernon.... Threatening  at- 
titude of  France. ...General  Washington  appointed  Com- 
mander in  Chief  of  the  American  Forces.... His  opinion  of 
Publick  Measures. ...His  Indisposition  and  Death. ...Con- 
clusion    467 


LIFE 


OF 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


CHAPTER    I. 

His  Birth. ...Education.. ,.Apfioi7ited  an  Adjutant  General  of  the 
militia.... His  embassy  to  the  Ohio. ...Coin7nissioned  as  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  of  a  regular  regiment ....Surp.rises  a  detach- 
ment of  French  troops. ...Cafiitulation  of  Fort  JVecessiiij...i 
He  is  afipointed  a  volunteer  Aid  de  camp,  to  General  Brad- 
dock. ...His  bra-very  in.  the  action  in  'which  that  General  fell,,.. 
He  is  appointed  the  Colcnsl  of  a  regiment,  and  commander  i7i 
chief  of  the  Virginia  troops.. ..His  efforts  to  defend  the  fron- 
tiers. ...His  exertions  in  the  expedition  under  General 
Forbes  to  gain  possession  of  Fort  du  Quesne ....Resigns  his 
eommisdcn. 

George  Washington  was  bom  m 

the  county  of  Westmui eland,  Virginia,  on  the  22d 
day  of  February,  1732.  He  was  the  third  son  of 
Mr.  x\ugustine  Washington,  and  the  great  grand- 
son of  Mr.  John  Washington,  a  gentleman  of  a  fam- 
ily of  some  distinction  in  the  north  of  England,  who 
emigrated  about  tlie  year  1657,  and  took  up  the  es- 
tate oil  which  the  subject  of  these  memoirs  was  born. 


2  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [l747. 

At  the  age  often  years,  by  the  death  of  his  father, 
he  was  left  in  the  sole  care  of  a  solicitous  mother. 
She  gave  him  a  private  education.  A  grammatical 
knowledge  of  the  English  language,  mathematicks, 
geography,  history,  natural  and  moral  philosophy, 
to  the  exclusion  of  the  learned  languages,  formed 
the  course  of  his  youthful  studies. 

The  candour  and  manliness  of  his  disposition 
were  early  displayed  among  his  young  companions, 
and  the  commanding  infiuence  of  his  character 
wa&  first  discovered  by  his   ascendency  over  them. 

The  patrimonial  estate  of  Mr.  Washington  was 
small.  After  the  completion  of  his  course  ^^  ith  his 
tutor,  he  was  engaged  in  useful  industry  ;  and  for 
several  years  of  his  minority,  employed  as  a  county 
surveyor.  In  this  employment  he  distinguished 
himself  by  his  diligence,  and  by  the  neatness  and 
accuracy  of  his  plans.  His  experience  in  this  busi- 
ness made  him  well  acquainted  with  the  worth  of 
new  lands,  and  aided  him  afterwards  in  their  selec- 
tion. 

The  military  bias  of  his  mind  was  early  discover- 
ed. The  war  between  England  and  France  in  1747 
kindled  in  his  young  breast  that  spark,  which  at  a 
subsequent  period  burst  into  a  flame  ;  and  at  his 
ov;n  importunity,  the  birth  of  a  midshipman,  at  the 
age  of  fifteen,  was  obtained  in  the  British  navy. 
His  views  in  this  instance  were  defeated  by  the 
anxiety  of  an  affectionate  mother. 

At  a  time  when  the  militia  \\  as  to  be  trained  for 
actual  service,  at  nineteen  he  was  appointed  one  of 


1753.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  3 

the  adjutant  generals  of  Virginia,  with  the  rank  of 
major ;  from  the  execution  of  the  duties  of  this 
commission,  honourable  to  his  age,  he  was  soon  cal- 
led to  higher  employments. 

France  at  this  period  mifolded  her  ambitious  de- 
sign of  connecting  Canada  with  Louisiana,  and  in 
this  way  of  enclosing  the  British  colonies  in  North 
America.  Her  officers  were  directed  to  establish  a 
line  of  posts  from  the  lakes  to  the  Ohio.  This 
tract  of  country,  the  English  held  to  be  within  the 
boundaries  of  Virginia.  Mr.  Dinwiddle,  then  the 
Lieutenant  Governour  of  the  province,  alarmed  by 
encroachments,  which  involved  the  important  inter- 
ests of  the  British  crown,  conceived  it  proper  offi- 
cially to  warn  the  French  to  desist  from  the  prosecu- 
tion of  a  scheme,  deemed  a  violation  of  existing 
treaties  between  the  two  countries. 

It  was  difficult  to  select  a  proper  agent  to  execute 
this  perilous  mission.  He  must  pass  through  an  un- 
explored wilderness,filled  by  tribes  of  Indians  ;  some 
of  which  were  doubtful  friends,  and  many  the  decided 
enemies  of  the  English.  The  fatigues  and  dangers 
which  induced  other  Virginians  to  decline  the  com- 
mission of  envoy  on  this  occasion,  led  Mr.  V/ash- 
INGTON  with  ardour  to  seek  the  appointment. 

The  very  day  on  which  he  received  his 

i7'53^*     coif^niission  he  commenced  his  journey 
from  Williamsburg.      At  Winchester  he 
procured  the   necessary  provisions,    baggage   and 
horses.     On  the  fourteenth  of  November  he  reach- 
ed Will's  Creek,   the    frontier  of  inhabited   Vir, 


4  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1753, 

ginia  ;  here  he  hired  a  pilot,  and  four  other  at- 
tendants, to  accompany  him  over  the  Alleghany 
mountains  ;  the  passage  of  which  was  now  at- 
tended with  difficulty  and  hazard.  The  weather 
became  incessantly  stormy,  and  the  snow  deep  ; 
and  he  was  unable  to  arrive  at  Turtle  Creek,  on  the 
mouth  o/  the  Monongahela  before  the  22d.  Here 
he  was  informed  of  the  death  of  the  French  General, 
and  that  his  troops  had  retired  to  winter  quarters. 
With  extreme  fatigue  he  pursued  his  journey  ;  sur- 
veyed  the  country  with  the  judgment  of  a  soldier, 
and  selected  the  forks  of  the  Monongahela  and  Al. 
leghany  rivers,  as  a  place  highly  expedient  for  the 
English  to  possess  and  fortify.  On  this  site  the 
French  soon  after  erected  Fort  du  Quesne,  which, 
when  the  British  General  Forbes  gained  the  pos- 
session, he  called  Foi  t  Pitt. 

In  this  place  he  spent  a  few  days  to  conciliate  the 
affections  of  the  Indians  of  the  viciiiity.  Some  of 
their  chiefs,  whose  fidelity  he  took  the  wisest  meas- 
ures to  secure,  he  engaged  as  guides,  with  them, 
ascended  the  Alleghany  river,  and  at  the  mouth  of 
French  Creek  found  the  first  French  post.  Pro- 
ceeding up  the  creek  to  another  fort,  he  met  Mon- 
sieur le  Gardeur  de  St.  Pierre,  the  commanding 
officer  on  the  Oiiio,  and  to  him  he  delivered  Gover- 
nour  Dinwiddle's  letter.  Within  three  or  four  days 
he  received  an  official  answer  to  his  communication, 
and  immediately  left  the  place  on  his  return  ;  but 
the  snow  being  excessively  deep,  and  his  horses 
growing  weak  from  fatigue,  he  became  impatient 


1753.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  5 

at  the  slo\vness  of  his  progress.  Leaving  there- 
fore his  horses  with  necessary  directions,  in  the 
car-  of  his  attendants,  he  and  his  pilot  wrapt  them- 
selves in  watch  coats,  took  his  important  papers,  and 
the  necessary  provisions  in  their  packs,  and  with  their 
guns  in  their  hands,  prosecuted  die  journey  on  foot 
the  nearest  v\'ay  through  the  woods.  The  next  day, 
December  26,  as  he  passed  a  place,  called  the  Mur- 
dering town,  he  fell  in  with  a  party  of  French  In- 
dians,  which  laid  in  wait  for  him  ;  one  of  them 
not  fifteen  steps  distant  fired,  but  without  effect. 
They  took  him  into  custody,  and  kept  him  un- 
til nine  o'clock  at  night,  then  let  him  go,  and 
walked  themselves  all  the  remaining  part  of  the 
night,  without  making  any  stop,  that  they  might  be 
out  of  the  reach  of  pursuit  the  next  day,  supposing 
that  the  Indians  would  then  follow  their  track.  The 
second  day  he  reached  the  river  two  miles  above  the 
Shannapis,  expecting  to  find  it  frozen  over  ;  but  the 
ice  extended  only  fifty  yards  from  the  shore ;  though 
quantities  of  it  were  driving  in  the  channel.  A 
raft  was  their  only  means  of  passing,  and  they  had 
but  one  poor  hatchet  with  which  to  make  it.  It 
cost  them  a  hard  day's  work  to  form  the  raft;  the 
next  day  they  launched  it,  went  on  board,  and  at- 
tempted the  passage  ;  but  before  they  were  half  way 
over  they  were  enclosed  by  masses  of  ice,  and 
threatened  with  immediate  destruction.  Mr.  Wa  sh- 
INGTON  put  down  his  setting  pole  to  stop  the  raft, 
that  the  ice  might  pass  by,  but  the  rapidity  of  the 
current  threw  the  ice  with  such  force  against  the 


6  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1754. 

pole,  that  it  jerked  him  out  in  ten  feet  water.  But 
fortunately  he  saved  himself  by  seizing  one  of  the 
raft  logs.  With  their  utmost  efforts  they  were  una- 
ble to  reach  either  shore,  but  with  difficulty  they 
landed  on  an  island.  The  cold  was  so  severe,  that 
Mr.  Gist  the  Pilot  had  his  hands  and  feet  frozen. 
The  next  morning,  without  hazard  they  passed  the 
river  on  the  ice,  and  were  received  into  the  lodgings 
of  Mr.  Frazier,  an  Indian  trader.  Here  Major 
Washington  took  a  horse,  and  on  the  16th  Janu- 
ary 1754,  reached  Williamsburg,  and  made  report 
of  his  proceedings. 

The  fatigue  and  danger  of  this  mission,  are  not 
easily  conceived  by  persons  in  the  bosom  of  civilized 
life.  "From  the  1st  to  the  15th  of  December,"  say$ 
Major  Washington,  "there  was  but  one  day  in 
which  it  did  not  rain  or  snow  incessantly, and  through 
the  whole  journey  there  was  but  one  continued  sc- 
ries of  cold,  wet  weather."  The  journal  composed 
for  the  perusal  of  Governour  Dinwiddie,  was  publish- 
ed, and  the  enterprise,  judgment,  and  perseverance 
displayed  in  this  mission  exalted  Mr.  Washington 
in  public  opinion  ;  and  gave  his  country  an  earnest 
of  his  future  services. 

The  embassy  to  the  Ohio,  not  having  induced 
the  French  to  M^ithdraw  from  that  country,  the  as- 
sembly of  Virginia  adopted  measures  to  maintain 
the  claims  of  the  British  crown.  They  empowered 
the  executive  of  the  Colony  to  raise  a  regiment  to 
consist  of  three  hundred  men.  Mr.  Fry,  a  gen- 
tleman acquainted  with  the  western  country,  was  ap- 
pointed to  command  it,  and  the  commission  of  Lieut. 


1754.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  7 

Colonel  was  given  to  Maj  .Washington.     Enter- 
prising and  patriotic,  Col.  Washington  requested 
and  obtained  permission  to  march  first,  early  in  April, 
1754,  with  two  companies  to  the  Great  Meadows. 
The  motives  which  led  him  to  this  measure,  were  to 
be  early  inllctive  service,  to  learn  the  designs  of  the 
enemy,  to  afford  protection  to  the  English  settle- 
ments, to  cultivate  the  friendship  of  the  Indians,  and 
to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  the  country,  which  prom- 
ised to  be  the  scene  of  military  operations.    Scarcely 
had  he  taken  possession  of  his  ground,  when  some 
friendly  Indians  informed  him  that  the  French  had 
driven  away  a  w^orking  party,  sent  by  the  Ohio 
company  to  erect  a  fort  on  the  southeastern  branch 
of  the  Ohio,  and  were  themselves  building  a  fortress 
on  the  very  ground,  which  he  had  recomm.endcd  to 
the  Governour  for  a  military  post.     They  also  gave 
the  intelligence,  that  a  force  was  then  marching  from 
that  place  to  the  Great  Meadows.     Although  hostil- 
ities had  not  commenced  ;  yet  it  was  considered 
that  the  French  had  invaded  the  English  territory  ; 
and  many  circumstances  rendered  it  probable,  that 
a  force  was  approaching  with  hostile  views.     It  ap- 
peared that  the  party  had  left  the  direct  road,  and  had 
encamped   in  a   valley,  a  few  miles  to  the  west  of 
the  Great  Meadows,  as  a  place  of  concealment.... 
Colonel  Washington,  under  the  guidance  of  the 
Indians,  set  out  in  a  dark,  rainy  night  and  surround- 
ed the  encampment.     At  day  break  his  men  fired, 
and  rushed  upon  the  French,  being  completely  sur- 
prised, they  surrendered.     One  man  only  made  his 
escape,  and  Mr.  lumonville,  the  commander,  alone 
was  killed. 


8  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1754. 

The  other  companies  of  the  regiment  were,  at  this 
time,  in  march  to  join  those  in  advance  ;  before 
these  reached  the  camp  Colonel  Fry  died,  and  the 
command  devolved  on  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wash- 
ington. Two  companies  of  British  troops,  one 
from  Soiithcarolina,  and  the  other  from  Nevvyork, 
also  joined  the  regiment  at  the  Great  MeadoM's, 
making  a  force  of  four  hundred  effective  men.  The 
regular  captains  reluctantly  placed  themselves  under 
the  command  of  a  provincial  officer  ;  but  pressinp* 
circumstances  induced  them  for  the  time,  to  wave 
dispute  about  rank,  and  to  act  under  the  orders  of 
Colonel  Washington. 

For  the  security  of  their  stores  he  erected  a  small 
stockade,  and  then  marched  towards  Fort  du  Ques- 
ne,  to  dislodge  the  French.  At  the  foot  of  Laurel 
Hill,  thirteen  miles  on  the  way,  he  was  met  by  a 
number  of  friendly  Indians,  who  informed  him,  that 
the  enemy  were  hastily  approachmg  with  a  strong 
detachment.  A  confidential  chief  assured  him,  that 
he  had  seen  a  reinforcement  arrive  at  du  Quesne, 
which  place  he  left  two  days  before,  and  had  learnt 
that  a  body  consisting^  of  eight  hundred  French  and 
four  hundred  Indians,  M'ould  immeciialely  march  to 
attack  the  English.  The  previous  information  of 
deserters  from  tiie  enemy  confirmed  the  Indian's  re- 
port. The  troops  had  been  already  six  days  with- 
out bread,  and  had  but  a  small  quantity  of  meat  in 
store.  The  French  might  approach  'oy  water  car- 
riage, within  five  miles  of  their  present  encampment; 
and  then  pass  them  by  a  different  route  and  starve 


1754.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  9 

them  into  a  surrender,  or  fight  them  with  a  great  su- 
periority of  numbers. 

In  this  critical  situation  Colonel  Wash- 
1754^'  iNGTON  called  a  council  of  war.  The 
unanimous  advice  of  which  was,  to  return 
to  their  position  at  the  Great  Meadows  ;  because  the 
two  roads  at  that  place  united,  and  the  country  did 
not  allow  an  enemy  to  pass  them  unperceived  ;  and 
at  this  place  they  might  wait  the  arrival  of  a  supply 
of  provisions,  and  reinforcement  of  men.  The  Col- 
onel approved  the  advice  of  his  officers,  and  imme- 
diately carried  it  into  effect.  (July  2)  His  first  care 
was  to  sink  a  ditch  round  the  stockade,  which  he 
now  named  Fort  Necessity  ;  but  before  it  was  com- 
pleted, the  enemy  attacked  him,  (July  3)  under  the 
command  of  Monsieur  de  Villier,  \\  hose  force  con- 
sisted of  fifteen  hundred  men.  The  assault  was 
spiritedly  made,  and  bravely  repelled.  Part  of  the 
garrison  fought  within  the  fort,  and  part  in  the  ditch, 
which  was  almost  filled  with  mud  and  water.  Col- 
onel Washington,  during  the  whole  action,  re- 
mained without  the  fort,  by  his  presence  and  exam- 
ple animating  his  men.  The  attack  began  at  ten  in 
the  morning,  and  u  as  continued  without  intermission 
as  long  as  the  light  of  day  remained.  Early  in  the 
evening  Monsieur  de  Villier  demanded  a  parley  and 
mentioned  the  terms  of  capitulation  which  he  was 
willing  to  grant.  These  were  rejected  ;  but  in  the 
course  of  the  night,  articles  were  agreed  upon  and 
signed.  By  these,  the  fort  was  to  be  surrendered, 
the  garrison  allowed  the  honours  of  war,  to  retain 
c 


10  tiFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  £l754. 

their  fire  arms  and  baggage,  and  umolested  to  march 
to  the  inhabited  part  of  Virginia.  The  capitulation 
was  the  work  of  haste,  and  written  in  the  French 
language,  with  which  neither  Colonel  Washing- 
ton nor  any  of  Ms  officers  were  acquainted,  and 
unfortunately  contained  an  expression,  which  the 
translator,  at  the  time,  construed  to  Colonel  Wash- 
ington to  imply,  that  Mr.  lumonville,  in  the  first 
action  was  killed ;  but  which  literally  would  bear 
the  translation,  was  assassinated.  In  answer  to  a 
publication  of  Monsieur  de  Villier,  Colonel  Wash- 
ington, soon  after  the  event,  made  it  fully  to  appear 
that  he  did  not  understand  the  import  of  the  word  ; 
but  during  his  presidency,  an  enemy  had  the  audaci- 
ty to  call  him,  upon  the  strength  of  this  capitulation, 
an  assassin,^ 

The  killed  and  wounded  in  the  Virginia  regiment, 
on  this  occasion  amounted  to  fifty  eight.  The  ene- 
my were  stated  to  have  had  about  two  hundred  kil- 
led and  wounded. 

The  publick  gave  to  this  brave  band,  merited 
praise  ;  and  the  assembly  of  Virginia  expressed  their 
sense  of  the  resolution  and  judgment  displayed  in 
the  above  action,  by  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Colonel 
Washington  and  his  officers,  and  by  adonationof 
three  hundred  pistoles  to  the  soldiery. 

The  regiment  fell  back  to  Winchester  to  recruit. 
At  this  place,   the  companies  from  Northcarolina 

*  In  an  infamous  publication  in  the  Aurora,   under  the  signature  af 

Ja.SP£R    DwiGHT. 


1754.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  II 

and  Maryland  joined  the  Virginia  force  ;  the  whole 
commanded  by  Colonel  Innes  of  Northcarolina. 

Governor  Dinwiddie,  with  advice  of  council,  or- 
dered the  troops  to  march  over  the  Alleghany  moun- 
tains ;  either  to  drive  the  French  from  du  Quesne, 
or  to  erect  a  fort  in  a  favourable  position.  The  forces 
were  in  number  much  inferior  to  those  of  the  ene- 
my, and  were  totally  unprovided  with  articles  of 
clothing  and  provisions,  essential  to  a  winter's  cam- 
paign. Orders  were  also  given  immediately  to  fill 
up  the  regiment ;  although  no  money  was  voted  for 
the  recruiting  service.  Colonel  Washington 
pointedly  remonstrated  against  these  measures  ; 
but  being  adopted,  did  all  in  his  power  to  carry 
them  into  effect.  The  Legislature  soon  rose,  with- 
out providing  effectual  means  for  active  service,  and 
the  troops  did  not  march. 

During  the  succeeding  winter,  regulations  from 
the  war  office  were  published  in  America,  which  pro- 
vided, that  general  and  field  officers  of  provincial 
troops,  when  serving  with  general  and  field  officers 
commissioned  by  the  crown,  should  have  no  rank ; 
and,  consequently,  that  senior  provincial  officers 
should  be  commanded  by  their  juniors  belonging  to 
the  regular  troops. 

The  military  ambition  of  Colonel  Washington 
had  been  excited  by  his  experience,  and  by  the  ap- 
plause of  his  country  ;  but  he  possessed  the  spirit  of 
a  soldier,  and  refusing  submission  to  these!  degrad- 
ing regulations,  he  indignantly  resigned  his  com- 
mission.    At  the  same  time  he  declared,  that  with 


12  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1755« 

high  satisfaction  he  would  obey  the  commands  of  his 
country,  when  her  service  should  be  consistent  with 
his  honour. 

1755.  Colonel  Washington  had  at  this  time 
succeeded  to  the  estate  of  his  eldest  brother,  on  the 
Potomack,  called  Mount  Vernon,  in  compliment  to 
the  British  Admiral  of  that  name.  On  this  estate 
he  resolved  to  devote  his  life  to  agricultural  and 
philosophick  pursuits,  a  resolution  that  he  did  not 
long  retain. 

March  1'"^  the  spring  General  Braddock,  who 
^''55.  commanded  two  British  regiments,  and  a 
few  corps  of  Provincials,  was  making  preparation 
for  an  expedition  to  the  Ohio.  He  invited  Colonel 
Washington  to  join  his  army,  as  his  volunteer 
Aid  de  camp.  The  opportunity  of  making  a  cam- 
paign with  a  gentleman  of  his  professional  knowledge 
and  experience  was  with  pleasure  embraced.  When 
the  General,  in  April,  left  Alexandria,  Colonel 
Washington  entered  his  family,  and  attended  him 
to  Will's  Creek,  where  fort  Cumberland  was  now 
erected.  Here  the  army  remained  until  the  12th  of 
June,  collecting  horses,  waggons  and  provisions.... 
Colonel  Washington  advised  the  commander  in 
chief  to  use,  as  far  as  possible,  pack  horses  instead 
of  waggons,  on  account  of  the  roughness  of  the 
country.  Little  attention  was  given  to  his  opinion 
at  the  moment,  but,  after  the  commencement  of  the 
march,  the  measure  from  necessity  was  partially  a- 
doptcd. 


1755.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  13 

Soon  after  the  army  left  Cumberland,  Colonel 
Wjishington  was  attacked  by  a  violent  fever,  re- 
fusing to  be  left  behind,  he  was  carried  forward  in  a 
covered  waggon.  All  the  difficulties  arising  from 
the  state  of  the  roads,  which  had  been  foreseen  by 
Colonel  Washington,  were  on  the  march,  fully  re- 
alised. General  Braddock  now  advised  with  him  on 
the  most  eligible  measures  to  be  adopted  to  secure 
the  success  of  the  expedition.  He  earnestly  recom- 
mended, that  the  heavy  artillery  and  baggage  should 
be  left  under  the  charge  of  a  subaltern  officer  ;  and, 
that  the  commander  in  chief,  with  the  flower  of  his 
army,  should  with  the  utmost  dispatch  advance  to  the 
Ohio,  in  the  expectation  of  possessing  themselves 
of  Fort  du  Quesne,  before  the  French  garrison  could 
be  reinforced  by  the  troops  that  were  known  to  be 
on  their  way  for  that  purpose.  The  general  closed 
with  this  advice.  Twelve  hundred  men  were  select- 
ed, a  few  waggons  were  attached  to  the  light  artille- 
ry, and  necessary  provisions  were  placed  on  pack 
horses.  Of  this  body  General  Braddock  himself 
took  the  command,  leaving  Colonel  Dunbar  to  bring 
up  the  other  division  by  slow  marches. 

General  Braddock  with  his  disencumbered  troops 
did  not  move  v/ith  the  expedition  that  accorded 
with  the  enterprising  spirit  of  his  Americaa  aid. 
In  a  letter  written  at  the  moment,  he  says,  "  I  found 
that  instead  of  pushing  on  with  vigor,  without  re- 
garding a  little  rough  road,  they  v.  cn=;  halting  to  level 
every  mole  hill,  and  to  erect  bridges  over  every 
brook."     In  four  days  they  advanced  only  nineteeji 


i4«  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1755^ 

miles.  The  indisposition  of  Colonel  Washing- 
ton now  became  so  severe,  that  his  physicians  de^ 
clared  that  his  life  would  be  the  sacrifice  of  the  con- 
tinued fatigues  of  the  march.  The  General  there- 
fore absolutely  directed  him  to  remain  at  Yohogany 
with  a  small  guard,  until  Colonel  Dunbar  came  up 
with  him.  Colonel  Washington  at  length  con- 
sented, on  the  promise  that  he  should  be  brought 
up  with  the  advanced  corps,  before  its  arrival  at 
Fort  de  Quesne.  The  day  preceding  the  fatal  ac- 
tion, he,  in  a  covered  waggon,  rejoined  the  troops, 
and,  in  his  debilitated  state,  entered  on  his  duty. 

General  Braddock  was  warned  of  the  danger,  to 
which  the  character  of  his  enemy  exposed  him,  and 
advised  to  employ  the  ranging  companies  of  Virginia 
to  scour  the  woods,  and  prevent  ambuscades ;  but 
not  looking  for  an  enemy  capable  of  serious  op- 
position, he  without  caution  moved  his  army  in 
small  columns.  Within  seven  miles  of  du  Quesne, 
July  8,  he  was  suddenly  attacked  by  an  invisible 
1755.  fop  .  the  assaulting  party  of  French  and  In- 
dians fighting  under  cover  of  the  thick  wood  and 
high  grass,  with  which  the  country  abounded. 

Early  in  the  action,  the  Aids  decamp,  except 
Colonel  Washington,  were  killed  or  disabled, 
and  he  performed  the  whole  of  the  dangerous  service 
of  carrying  the  orders  of  the  commander  to  his  re- 
spective officers.  Of  all  those,  who  on  this  fatal 
day  did  duty  on  horseback,  he  alone  escaped  with- 
out a  wound  ;  although  he  had  two  horses  shot  un- 
der him,  and  four  balls  through  his  coat.  Doctor 
Craik,  the  physician  who  attended  him  in  his  last 


1755.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  IB 

sickness,  was  a  witness  of  this  scene  :   "I  expect- 
ed," says  he,  "  every  moment  to  see  him  fall. — - 
His  duty  and  situation  exposed  him  to  every  danger. 
Nothing  but  the  superintending  care  of  Providence 
could  have  saved  him  from  the  fate  of  all  around  him." 
After  an  action  of  three  hours,  the  troops  broke, 
and  the  efforts   of  their  officers  to  rally  them  were 
fruitless.     Colonel  Washington  assisted  to  bring 
General  Braddock  off  the  field,   who  was  mortally 
wounded.     He  reached  fort  Cumberland,  and  there 
died,   and  was  buried.     During  the  arduous  and 
dangerous  conflicts  of  this  hour,    Colonel  Wash- 
ington exhibited  that  self  possession  and  deter- 
mined courage,   which   are   essential   to   the  offi* 
cer.     To  his  quick  discernment  and  sound  judg- 
ment, the  preservation  of  the  defeated  troops  was 
in  a   great  measure  attributed ;  and  had  his   ad- 
vice been  previously  adopted,  probably  the  disaster 
would  not  have   happened.     i\s  soon  as  relieved 
from  his  attention  to  his  unfortunate  General,  he 
was  dispatched  to  Cumberland,  to  provide  for  the 
retreating  army.     Colonel  Dunbar  being  joined  by 
August,    them,  destroyed  the  stores  he  could  not 
1 755.      remove,  and  marched  his  army  to  Philadel- 
phia into  winter  quarters. 

The  British  troops  had  not  been  accustomed  to 
Indian  warfare  ;  and,  on  this  occasion,  Col.  Wash- 
ington indignantly  witnessed  their  pusillanimity. 
In  an  official  relation  of  the  engagement,  to  the  Ex^ 
ecutive  of  Virginia,  he  observes,  "  They  were 
struck  with  such  an  inconceivable  panic,  that  noth- 
ing but  confusion  and  disobedience  of  orders  pre- 


16  Lf^E    OF    WASHINGTON.  [175^* 

vailed  among  them.  The  officers  in  general  behav- 
ed with  incomparable  bravery,  for  which  they  great- 
ly suffered ;  there  being  upwards  of  sixty  killed 
and  wounded  ;   a  large  proportion  of  what  we  had. 

"  The  Virginia  companies  behaved  like  men, 
and  died  like  soldiers  .;  for  I  believe  of  three  com- 
panies OD  the  ground  that  day,  scarcely  thirty  men 
were  left  alive.  Capt.  Peronny  and  all  his  officers, 
down  to  a  corporal,  were  killed.  Capt.  Poulson 
had  almost  as  hard  a  fate,  for  only  one  of  his  escap- 
ed. In  short,  the  dastardly  behaviour  of  the  regular 
troops,  so  called,  exposed  those  who  were  inclined 
to  do  their  duty  to  almost  certain  death.  And  at 
length,  in  spite  of  every  effort  to  the  contrary,  they 
broke  and  ran  as  sheep  before  hounds ;  leaving 
the  artillery,  ammunition,  provisions,  baggage, 
in  short  every  thing,  a  prey  to  the  enemy  ;  and 
when  we  endeavoured  to  rally  them,  in  hopes  of  re- 
gaining the  ground,  and  what  we  had  left  upon  it, 
it  was  with  as  little  success,  as  if  we  had  attempted 
to  stop  the  wild  bears  of  the  mountains,  or  the  rivu- 
lets with  our  feet ;  for  they  would  break  by  in  spite 
of  every  effort  to  prevent  it." 

The  assembly  of  Virginia  was  in  session,  when 
the  gloomy  intelligence  was  received,  that  General 
Braddock  was  defeated  and  slain,  and  that  Colonel 
Dunbar  had  left  their  frontiers  open  to  the  invasion 
of  the  enemy.  They  immediately  voted  to  raise  a 
regiment  to  consist  of  sixteen  companies. 

The  importarit  transactions  in  which  Colonel 
Washington   had   been  engaged,  developed   his 


1755.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  17 

character  and  his  reputation  rose  by  every  publick 
trust,  with  which  he  was  invested.  He  now  received 
a  commission  appointing  him  Colonel  of  this  regi- 
ment, and  Commander  inChief  of  all  the  forces  rais- 
ed, and  to  be  raised,  in  Virginia  ;  Vv/ith  the  privilege 
to  name  his  field  officers.  He  could,  in  the  existing 
state  of  the  colony,  engage  in  the  military  service  of 
his  country  without  an  impeachment  of  his  honour, 
and  with  alacrity  he  accepted  the  appointment. 

1755.  A  scene  now  opened  to  Colonel  Wash- 
ington, trying  indeed  to  a  Commander  of  his  youth 
and  degree  of  experience,  but  proving  an  excel- 
lent school,  in .  which  to  form  the  General  of  the 
revolutionary  war.  With  an  incompetent  force  he 
was  to  defend  a  frontier  of  three  hundred  and  sixty 
miles.  The  French  on  the  Ohio,  aided  by  the  nu- 
merous  Indians  attached  to  their  interests,  embraced 
every  favourable  opportunity  to  invade  the  northern 
and  western  borders  of  Virginia,  spreading  terror 
and  desolation  in  their  course  ;  and  having  com- 
pleted their  work  of  slaughter  and  ruin,  they  retreat- 
ed with  their  plunder  over  the  Alleghany  mountain, 
before  a  force  could  be  collected  to  attack  them. — 
Governour  Dinwiddle  was  not  himself  a  soldier,  nor 
did  he  possess  a  mind  to  comprehend  the  nature  of 
this  mode  of  war.  Jealous  of  his  prerogative,  and 
obstinate  in  his  temper,  his  orders  vi^ere  often  inade- 
quate to  their  object,  or  impracticable  in  their  na- 
ture. The  military  c5de  of  the  Colony  was  insuf- 
ficient, which  rendered  it  impossible  to  bring  the 
militia  into  the  field  v.'ith  the  dispatch  necessary  tg 

D 


18  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1755, 

repel  an  Indian  invasion  ;  and  her  martial  laws  did 
not  possess  vigour  to  prevent  insubordination  in  of- 
ficers, or  secure  discipline  in  the  permanent  troops. 
The  Colony  was  at  that  time  too  poor,  or  too  im- 
provident, seasonably  to  lay  up  magazines  for  the 
use  of  her  little  army,  or  to  keep  money  in  the  mil- 
itary chest  for  its  regular  payment. 

Under  all  these  embarrassments.  Colonel  Wash- 
ington entered  on  the  duties  of  his  commis- 
sion. Having  put  the  recruiting  service  in  opera- 
tion, he  visited  the  line  of  posts  on  the  frontiers, 
and  established  the  best  regulations  their  state  ad- 
mitted, to  keep  the  petty  garrisons  vigilant  and 
alert. 

He  had  accomplished  this   necessary  business, 
and  nearly  completed  a  journey  to  Williamsburg, 
to  settle  with  the  Governour  the  plan  of  operations ; 
and  to  press  upon  him,  and  other  influential  charac- 
ters in  the  government,  the  importance  of  Legisla- 
tive interference  to  conciliate  those   Indians  who 
were  not  already  attached  to  the  French  ;  and  to 
adopt  effectual  means  and  regulations  to  support 
and  discipline  the  troops  ;  when  information  reach- 
ed him  of  an  eruption  of  the  French  and  Indians  on 
the  northern  border.    In  haste  he  returned  to  Win- 
chester, and  found  the  country  in  the  utmost  alarm 
and  confusion.  The  small  garrisons  conceived  them- 
selves to  be  in  danger  in  their  fortresses,  and  were 
unable  to  protect  the  open  country.     The  inhabit- 
ants on  the  extreme  frontier,  instead  of  uniting  their 
force  for  mutual  safety,  fell  back  and  communicat- 


1755.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  19 

ed  their   fears    to  more  interior  places.      Orders 
to  call  the  militia  into  the  field  were  unavailing ; 
the  solicitude  and  exertion  of  each  individual  were 
directed  to  the  immediate  preservation  of  his  fami- 
ly and  property.     The  sufferings  of  his  countrymen 
deeply  wounded  the  heart  of  Colonel  Washing- 
ton.    Every  measure  was  adopted,  that  an  enter- 
prising spirit   could  suggest ;  and  all  the  means  he 
possessed  were  judiciously  and  strenuously  exerted 
for  their  protection  ;  but  all  were  ineffectual.     He 
was  compelled  to  be  the  witness  of  the  calamity  of 
friends,  whom  he  could  not  relieve  ;  and  of  the  car- 
nage and  ravages  of  a  ferocious  enemy,  whom  he 
could  not  chastise.       Before   a  force  from   below 
could  be  collected,  the  invading  foe,  having  glutted 
their    appetite  for  blood,   and  loaded  themselves 
with  spoil,  recrossed  the  mountain. 

Three  years  service  affords  little  else,  than  a  repe- 
tition of  scenes  of  a  similar  nature  ;  scenes,  which 
occasioned  to  these  settlements  the  utmost  horror 
and  distress,  and  fully  tested  the  fortitude  and  mil- 
itary resources  of  the  Commander;  but  which,  in 
recital,  would  swell  this  work  beyond  the  designed 
bounds.  The  regiment  never  consisted  of  more 
than  one  thousand  effective  men.  Colonel  Wash- 
ington, in  addition  to  the  appropriate  duty  of  his 
commission,  was  obliged  to  superintend  the  opera- 
tions of  each  subordinate  department,  and  to  at- 
tend to  the  wants  of  the  impoverished  inhabitants. 
During  this  period,  he  unremittingly  urged  upon 
the  Executive  and  Legislature  of  his  Province,  the 


20  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1756, 

insufficiency  of  the  mode  adopted  to  prosecute  the 
war.  He  earnestly  advised  to  offensive  operations, 
as  the  only  measure  which  would  effectually  relieve 
the  Colony  from  the  heavy  loss  of  inhabitants,  and 
from  the  expense  of  money  yearly  sustained ;  and 
prevent  the  total  depopulation  of  the  fertile  plains 
beyond  the  Blue  Ridge.  If  the  necessary  coopera- 
tion of  Great  Britain,  to  enable  the  Colony  to  drive 
the  enemy  from  the  Ohio,  were  unattainable,  which 
would  prove  a  radical  cure  of  the  evil,  he  strongly 
recommended,  that  a  regular  force  of  two  thousand 
men  should  be  raised.  By  this  measure  he  thought 
the  militia,  whose  services  were  attended  with  incal- 
culable expense,  and  were  seldom  productive  of 
good,  might  be  relieved  from  temporary  draughts. 
The  feelings  and  views  of  Col.  Washington  on 
these  subjects,  will  fully  appear  by  the  following  ex- 
tracts from  letters  which  he  wrote  at  the  time.  In 
a  dispatch  to  the  Lieutenant  Governour,  he  thus 
paints  the  situation  of  the  inhabitants  and  the  troops, 
*'I  see  their  situation,  I  know  their  danger,  and  part- 
icipate their  sufferings,  without  having  it  in  my  pow- 
er to  give  them  further  relief  than  uncertain  promi- 
ses. In  bhort,  I  see  inevitable  destruction  in  so  clear 
a  light,  that,  unless  vigorous  measures  are  taken  by 
the  Assembly,  and  speedy  assistance  sent  from  be- 
low, the  poor  inhabitants,  now  in  forts,  must  una- 
voidably fall,  while  the  remainder  are  flying  before 
the  barbarous  foe.  In  fine,  the  melancholy  situation 
of  the  people,  the  little  prospect  of  assistance,  the 
gross  and  scandalous  abuses   cast  upon  the  ofiicers 


1756.]  XIFE    OF    WASHINGTOlSr,  21 

in  general,  which  is  reflecting  on  me  in  particular, 
for  suffering  misconduct  of  such  extraordinary  kind, 
^fid  the  distant  prospect,  if  any,  of  gaining  reputa- 
tion in  the  service  cause  me  to  lament  the  hour 
that  gave  me  a  commission,  and  would  induce  me  at 
any  other  time  than  this  of  imminent  danger,  to  re^ 
sign,  without  one  hesitating  moment,  a  command, 
from  which  I  never  expect  to  reap  either  honour  or 
benefit ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  have  almost  an  abso- 
lute certainty  of  incurring  displeasure  below,  while 
the  murder  of  helpless  families  may  be  laid  to 
my  account  here. 

*'  The  supplicating  tears  of  the  women,  and  mov- 
ing petitions  of  the  men,  melt  me  with  such  deadly 
sorrow,  that  I  solemnly  declare,  if  I  know  my  own 
mind,  I  could  offer  myself  a  willing  sacrifice  to  the 
butchering  enemy,  provided  that  would  conduce  to 
the  people's  ease." 

The  inefficiency  of  the  militia  he  thus  pourtrays. 

"  The  inhabitants  are  so  sensible  of  their  danger  if 
left  to  the  protection  of  these  people,  (militia)  that 
not  a  man  will  sta}'  at  his  place.  This  I  have  from 
their  own  mouths,  and  the  principal  inhabitants  of 
Augusta  county.  The  militia  are  under  such  bad 
order  and  discipline,  that  they  will  come  and  go 
when  and  where  they  please,  without  regarding  time, 
their  officers,  or  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants.  There 
should  be,  according  to  your  honour's  orders,  one 
third  of  the  militia  of  these  parts  on  duty,  at  a  timej 
instead  of  that,  scarce  one  thirtieth  is  out.  They 
are  to  be  relieved  every  month,  and  they  are  a  great 


22  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1756. 

part  of  that  time  marching  to  and  from  their  stations ; 
and  they  will  not  wait  one  day  longer  than  the 
limited  time,  whether  relieved  or  not,  however  ur- 
gent the  necessity  for  their  continuance  may  be." 

"  I  met  with  Col.  Buchanan,  with  about  thirty  men, 
chiefly  officers,  to  conduct  me  up  Jackson's  river, 
along  the  range  of  forts.  With  this  small  company 
of  irregulars,  with  whom  order,  regularity,  circum- 
spection and  vigilance  were  matters  of  derision  and 
contempt,  we  set  out,  and  by  the  protection  of 
providence,  reached  Augusta  courthouse  in  seven 
days,  without  meeting  the  enemy ;  otherwise  we 
must  have  been  sacrificed  by  the  indiscretion  of 
these  hooping,  hallowing,  gentlemen  soldiers. — 
This  jaunt  aftbrded  me  great  opportunity  of  seeing 
the  bad  regulation  of  the  militia,  the  disorderly  pro- 
ceedings of  the  garrisons,  and  the  unhappy  circum- 
stances of  the  inhabitants. 

*'  We  are  either  insensible  of  danger  until  it  breaks 
upon  our  heads,  or  else  through  mistaken  notions 
of  economy,  evade  the  expense  until  the  blow  is , 
struck,  and  then  run  into  an  extreme  of  raising  the 
militia.  These,  after  an  age,  as  it  were,  is  spent  in 
assembling  them,  come  up,  make  a  noise  for  a  time, 
oppress  the  inhabitants,  and  then  return,  leaving  the 
frontiers  unguarded  as  before.  This  is  still  our  re- 
liance,  notwithstanding  former  experience  convinces 
us,  if  reason  did  not,  that  the  French  and  Indians 
are  watching  the  opportunity  when  we  shall  be  lull- 
ed into  fatal  security,  and  unprepared  to  resist  an 
attack,  to  invade  the  country,  and  by  ravaging  one 


1756.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  S3 

part,  terrify  another  ;  that  they  retreat  when  our 
militia  assemble,  and  repeat  the  stroke  as  soon  as 
they  are  dispersed ;  that  they  send  down  parties 
in  the  intermediate  time,  to  discover  our  motions, 
procure  inteUigence,  and  sometimes  to  divert  the 
troops." 

The  expediency  of  an  offensive  war,  he  supports 
by  the  following  observations. 

*'The  certainty  of  advantage  by  an  offensive 
scheme  of  action,  renders  it  beyond  any  doubt, 
much  preferable  to  our  defensive  measures.  To 
prove  this  to  you,  Sir,  requires,  I  presume,  no  argu- 
ments. Our  scattered  force,  so  separated  and  dis- 
persed in  weak  parties,  avails  little  to  stop  the  secret 
incursions  of  the  savages.  We  can  only  put  them 
to  flight,  or  frighten  them  to  some  other  part  of  the 
country,  which  answers  not  the  end  proposed. 
Whereas,  had  we  strength  enough  to  invade  their 
lands,  and  assault  their  towns,  we  should  restrain 
them  from  coming  abroad  and  leaving  their  fami- 
lies exposed.  We  then  should  remove  the  princi- 
pal cause,  and  have  stronger  probability  of  success  ; 
we  should  be  free  from  the  many  alarms,  mischiefs 
and  murders  that  now  attend  us  ;  we  should  inspirit 
the  hearts  of  our  few  Indian  friends,  and  gain  more 
esteem  with  them.  In  short,  could  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland  be  induced  to  join  us  in  an  expedi- 
tion of  this  nature,  and  to  petition  his  Excellency 
Lord  Loudoun  for  a  small  train  of  artillery,  with 
some  engineers,  we  should  then  be  able,  in  all  hu- 
man probability,  to  subdue  the  terrour  of  Fort  du 


24  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1757. 

Quesne,  retrieve  our  character  with  the  Indians,  and 
restore  peace  to  our  unhappy  frontiers." 

On  condition  that  the  assembly  should  persist  in 
the  scheme  of  defensive  warfare,  he  presented  to  the 
Governour  a  plan  for  his  opinion.  This  was  to  es- 
tablish twenty tv/o  forts,  reaching  from  the  river 
Mayo  to  the  Potomack,  in  a  line  of  three  hundred 
and  sixty  miles ;  and  which  were  to  be  garrisoned 
by  a  regular  force,  consisting  of  two  thousand  men. 

The  pride  of  Governour  Dinwiddle  was  offended 
by  these  frank  communications  of  a  gallant  and  in- 
dependent officer.  In  uncourtly  language  he  cen- 
sured advice,  which  he  could  not  comprehend,  and 
reproached  this  officer  with  officiousness  and  neglect 
of  duty.  Colonel  Washington  felt  the  repri- 
mand as  a  patriot,  the  welfare  of  whose  country 
ever  dwelt  on  his  heart ;  and,  like  a  soldier,  who  had 
an  invaluable  prize  in  his  own  reputation.  In  the 
consciousness  of  having  made  the  highest  efforts 
fViithfully  to  execute  the  trust  reposed  in  him,  he  thus 
spiritedly  replied  to  the  charge,  in  a  letter  to  an  in- 
fluential friend.  "  Whence  it  arises,  or  why,  lam 
ignorant,  but  my  strongest  representations  of  mat- 
ters relative  to  the  peace  of  the  frontiers  are  disre- 
garded as  idle  and  frivolous  ;  ray  propositions  and 
measures,  as  partial  and  selfish  ;  and  all  my  sincer- 
est  endeavours  for  the  service  of  my  country,  pervert- 
ed to  the  worst  purposes.  My  orders  are  dark, 
doubtful  and  uncertain.  Today  approved,  to- 
morrow condemned  ;  left  to  act  and  proceed  at  haz- 
ard ;  accountable  for  the  consequences,  and  blamed 


1757.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  25 

without  the  benefit  of  defence.  If  you  can  think  my 
situation  capable  of  exciting  the  smallest  degree  of 
envy,  or  of  affording  the  least  satisfaction,  the 
truth  is  yet  hid  from  you,  and  you  entertain  no- 
tions very  different  from  the  reality  of  the  case. 
However,  I  am  determined  to  bear  up  under  all  these 
embarrassments,  some  time  longer,  in  the  hope  of 
better  regulations  under  Lord  Loudoun,  to  whom  I 
look  for  the  future  fate  of  Virginia." 

To  the  Governour  himself,  in  answer  to  a  com* 
munlcation  from  him,  which  conveyed  a  censure, 
he  >vrote,  "  I  must  beg  leave,  before  I  conclude,  to 
observe,  in  justification  of  my  o\^  n  conduct,  that  it 
is  with  pleasure  I  receive  reproof  w  hen  reproof  is 
due,  because  no  person  can  be  readier  to  accuse  me, 
than  I  am  to  acknowledge  an  errour  when  I  have 
committed  it ;  nor  more  desirous  of  atoning  for  a 
crime,  when  I  am  sensible  of  being  guilty  of  one. 
i3ut,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  with  concern  I  remark, 
that  my  best  endeavours  lose  their  reward,  and  that 
my  conduct,  although  I  have  uniformly  studied  to 
make  it  as  unexceptionable  as  I  could,  does  not  ap- 
pear to  you  in  a  favourable  point  of  light.  Otherwise 
your  Honour  would  not  have  accused  me  of  loose  be- 
haviour and  rein'issness  of  duty,  in  matters,  where  I 
think  I  have  rather  exceeded  than  fallen  short  of  it. 
This,  I  think,  is  evidently  the  case  in  speaking  of  In- 
dian affairs  at  all,  after  being  instructed  in  very  ex- 
press terms,  '•Not  to  hwcc  any  concern  U7*///,  or  man- 
agement of  Indian  affairs.'^  This  has  induced  me 
to  forbear  mentioning  the  Indians  in  my  letters  to 

E- 


26  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1757. 

your  Honour  of  late,  and  to  leave  the  misunderstand* 
ing  which  you  speak  of,  between  Mr.  Alkin  and 
them,  to  be  related  by  him." 

He  had  been  informed  by  letter  of  a  report  com- 
municated to  the  Governour,  impeaching  his  veracity 
and  honour.  A  copy  of  this  letter  he  inclosed  to  his 
Honour,  earnestly  requesting  of  him  the  name  of  the 
author  of  this  report.  "  I  should  take  it  infinitely 
kind  if  your  Honour  would  please  to  inform  me, 
whether  a  report  of  this  nature  was  ever  made  to  you, 
and  in  that  case,  who  was  the  author  of  it  ? 

*'  It  is  evident,  from  a  variety  of  circumstances, 
and  especially  from  the  change  in  your  Honour's 
conduct  towards  me,  that  some  person  as  well  in- 
clined to  detract,  but  better  skilled  in  the  art  of  de- 
traction than  the  author  of  the  above  stupid  scandal, 
has  made  free  with  my  character.  For  I  cannot  sup- 
pose that  malice  so  absurd,  so  barefaced,  so  diamet- 
rically opposite  to  truth,  to  common  policy,  and  in 
short  to  every  thing  but  villainy,  as  the  above  is, 
could  impress  you  with  so  ill  an  opinion  of  my  hon- 
pur  and  honesty. 

"  If  it  be  possible  that  Colonel  ,  for  my 

belief  is  staggered,  not  being  conscious  of  having 
given  the  least  cause  to  any  one,  much  less  to  that 
gentleman,  to  reflect  so  grossly.  I  say,  if  it  be  possi- 
ble that could  descend  so  low,  as  to  be  the  prop- 
agator of  this  story,  he  must  either  be  vastly  igno- 
rant of  the  state  of  affairs  in  this  county  at  that  time, 
or  else  he  must  suppose  that  the  v\  hole  body  of  in- 
habitants had  con)hined  with  me  in  executing  the 
deceitful  fraud.     Or,  why  did  they,  almost  to  a  man, 


1757.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  27 

forsake  their  dwellings  in  the  greatest  terrour  and 
confusion  ?  And  while  one  half  of  them  sought  shel- 
ter in  paltry  forts,  of  their  own  building,  the  other 
should  flee  to  the  adjacent  counties  for  refuge  ;  num- 
bers of  them  even  to  Carolina,  from  whence  they 
have  never  returned  ? 

*'  These  are  facts  well  known  ;  but  not  better 
known,  than  that  these  wretched  people,  while 
they  lay  pent  up  in  forts,  destitute  of  the  com- 
mon supports  of  life,  (having,  in  their  precipitate 
flight,  forgotten,  or  were  unable  rather  to  secure 
any  kind  of  necessaries)  did  dispatch  messengers, 
(thinking  that  I  had  not  represented  their  mise- 
ries in  the  piteous  manner  they  deserved)  with  ad- 
dresses of  their  own  to  your  Honour  and  the  assem- 
bly, praying  relief.  And  did  I  ever  send  any  alarm- 
ing account,  without  sending  also  the  original  papers, 
or  the  copies,  which  gave  rise  to  it. 

"  That  I  have  foibles,  and  perhaps  many,  I  shall 
not  deny.  I  should  esteem  myself,  as  the  world  also 
would,  vain  and  empty,  were  I  to  arrogate  perfec- 
tion. 

*'  Knowledge  in  military  matters,  is  to  be  ac- 
quired by  practice  and  experience  only,  and  if  I 
have  erred,  great  allowance  should  be  made  for  my 
errours  for  want  of  them,  unless  those  errours  should 
appear  to  be  wilful  ;  and  then  I  conceive  it  would  be 
more  generous  to  charge  me  with  my  faults,  and  let 
me  stand  or  fall  according  to  evidence,  than  to  stig- 
matize me  behind  my  back, 

"It  is  uncertain  in  what  light  my  services  may 
have  appeared  to  your  Honour ;  but  this  I  know, 


28  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1757. 

and  it  is  the  highest  consolation  I  am  capable  of  feel- 
ing, that  no  man  that  ever  was  employed  in  a  publick 
capacity,  has  endeavoured  to  discharge  the  trust  re- 
posed in  him  with  greater  honesty,  and  more  zeal  for 
the  country's  interest,  than  1  have  done  ;  but  if  there 
is  any  person  living,  who  can  say  with  justice,  that  I 
have  offered  any  intentional  v/rong  to  the  publick,  I 
will  cheerfully  submit  to  the  most  ignominious  pun- 
ishment that  an  injured  people  ought  to  inflict.  On 
the  other  hand,  it  is  hard  to  have  my  character  ar- 
raigned, and  my  actions  condemned,  without  an 
hearing. 

"  I  must  therefore  again  beg  in  more  plain ^  and 

in  very  earnest  terms  to  know  if has  taken  tlie^ 

liberty  of  representing  my  conduct  to  your  Hon- 
our, with  such  ungentlemanly  freedom  as  the  let- 
ter implies  ?  Your  condescension  herein  will  be  ac- 
knowledged a  singular  favour." 

Soon  after  this  transaction,  Mr.  Dinwiddle  left 
the  government,  and  Mr.  Blair,  the  president  of  the 
Council,  became,  for  a  short  time,  the  Executive, 
between  whom  and  Colonel  Washington  perfect 
confidence  and  free  communication  existed. 

1757.  This  year  Lord  Loudoun  succeeded  to 
the  civil  government  of  Virginia,  and  to  the  chief 
command  of  the  British  troops  in  North  America. 
Colonel  Washington  obtained  permission  to  wait 
upon  him  the  succeeding  winter  ;  to  whom  he  pre- 
sented an  address  from  his  regiment,  and  commu- 
nicated from  himself  a  statement  of  the  military  situ- 
ation of  the  colony.  In  this  he  pointed  out  the  er- 
rour  of  d\e  government  in  the  management  of  the  war, 


3.758.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  29 

and  particularly  in  their  depending  on  the  aid  of  the 
militia  ;  and  demonstrated  the  superiour  advantages 
of  ori'ensive  operations. 

Colonel  Washington  was  sanguine  in  the  ex- 
pectation, that  Lord  Loudoun  would  adopt  his  darl- 
ing scheme  of  an  expedition  to  dispossess  the  French 
of  Fort  du  Quesne  ;  but  his  Lordship  having  deter- 
mined to  direct  his  force  against  Ticonderoga,  he 
was  again  mortified  by  a  disappointment. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1757,  General  Aber- 
crombie  was  appointed  to  the  supreme  command  in 
America,  and  General  Forbes  commissioned  as  the 
commander  of  the  middle  district.  To  the  high 
gratification  of  Colonel  Washington,  the  conquest 
of  du  Quesne  became  a  principal  object. 

1758.  Colonel  Washington,  not  expecting 
to  be  placed  on  the  establishment,  had  determined 
to  resign  his  commission  ;  but  he  thought  the  expe- 
dition for  this  purpose  presented  a  fair  prospect  of 
distinguished  service,  and  he  resolved  to  engage  in  it. 

He  warmly  recommended  an  early  campaign  ; 
for  thiS)  among  other  reasons,  seven  hundred  In- 
dians had,  in  April,  assembled  at  Winchester, whose 
patience  would  be  exhausted  unless  early  employed ; 
and  in  that  event,  he  observes,  *'  No  words  can  tell 
how  much  they  will  be  missed." 

He  was  at  length  ordered  to  collect  the  Virginia 
troops  at  Winchester,  and  to  hold  them  in  readiness 
for  active  service.  At  this  late  moment,  when  the 
duties  of  the  field  demanded  his  attention,  he  was 
necessitated  to  make  a  journey  to  Williamsburg,  to 
provide  arms,  clothing,  and  money  for  Lis  regiment ; 


30  LIPE    OF    WASHIN^CTOK.  [1758. 

and  to  obtain  for  his  soldiers,  the  same  pay  which  the 
assembly,  in  their  last  session,  had  voted  to  a  regi- 
ment raised  for  the  present  campaign. 

Early  in  July  the  Virginia  forces  were  moved 
to  Cumberland,  and  through  the  month  employed 
in  opening  a  road  from  that  place  to  Raystown.  Fly- 
ing parties  of  the  enemy  greatly  annoying  them  in 
their  business,  it  was  contemplated  to  send  a  de- 
tachment over  the  mountain,  to  restrain  the  French 
and  Indians  from  this  annoyance  ;  but  Col.  Wash- 
ington objected  to  the  measure,  because  the  detach- 
ment would  be  exposed  to  the  whole  force  of  the 
enemy  on  the  Ohio,  and  must  be  defeated.  The 
plan  w^as  in  consequence  given  up  ;  and  by  his  ad- 
vice frequent  scouts,  consisting  principally  of  In- 
dians, were  substituted.  The  prediction  of  Colonel 
Washington,  respecting  the  body  of  Indians  at 
Winchester,  was  verified  ;  before  the  campaign 
opened,  their  patience  was  exhausted,  and  they  retir- 
ed to  their  homes. 

It  was  confidently  expected  that  the  army  would 
march  by  Braddock's  road,  which  needed  only  slight 
repairs  ;  but  on  the  last  of  this  month,  Col.  Bou- 
quet by  letter,  requested  an  interview  with  Colonel 
W  A  sHiNGTON,to  cousult  with  him  on  opening  a  new 
route.  In  reply  he  wrote,  "  I  shall  most  cheerfully 
work  on  any  road,  pursue  any  route,  or  enter  on  any 
service  that  the  General  or  yourself  may  think  me  use- 
fully employed  in,  or  qualified  for  ;  and  shall  never 
have  a  will  of  my  own,  when  a  duty  is  required  of  me. 
But  since  you  desire  me  to  speak  my  sentiments  free- 
ly, permit  me  to  observe,  that  after  having  convers- 


1758.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  Sf 

ed  with  all  the  guides,  and  having  been  informed  by- 
others  acquainted  with  the  country,  I  am  convinced 
that  a  road  to  be  compared  with  Gen.  Braddock's, 
or,  indeed,  that  will  be  fit  for  transportation,  even  by- 
pack  horses,  cannot  be  made.  I  own  I  have  no 
predilection  for  the  route  you  have  in  contemplation 
for  me." 

Notwithstanding  every  remonstrance,  he  found 
Col.  Bouquet  determined  to  open  the  new  road. — 
That  nothing  in  his  power  might  be  omitted  to  pre- 
vent the  adoption  of  a  scheme,  which  he  thought 
would  probably  defeat  the  expedition,  he  addressed 
a  letter  to  this  officer,  with  the  express  design 
that  it  should  be  laid  before  General  Forbes,  then 
indisposed  ;  in  which  he  gave  the  following  reasons 
for  the  preference  of  Braddock's  road. 

When  individuals  of  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 
ginia, he  said,  were  about  to  establish  a  trade  with 
the  natives  on  the  Ohio,  they,  under  Indian  guides^ 
explored  the  country,  and  adopted  the  road  by  Will's 
Creek  as  the  best  route.  This  road  had  been  open- 
ed by  the  Ohio  company  in  1753,  and  had  been  re- 
paired in  1754  by  the  troops  under  his  command, 
as  far  as  Gist's  plantation,  beyond  the  Great  Mead- 
ows. In  1755  it  had  been  put  in  good  order  by 
General  Braddock,  and  could  with  little  labour 
be  fitted  for  use.  This  road,  therefore,  must  be 
preferable  to  a  new  route  over  ground  not  more 
favourable.  In  respect  to  forage  there  could  be  no 
material  difference.  The  hills  on  both  routes  were 
barren,  and  the  vallies  between  them  abounded  with 
grass.     The  objection  to  Braddock's  road,  he  ob- 


52  i.iTE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [175^. 

served,  on  account  of  high  waters,  was  not  founded  j 
he  had  hhnself  passed  with  a  body  of  men,  the  Yo- 
hogany,  the  most  rapid  stream,  and  the  soonest  fill- 
ed of  any  on  the  road,  after  thirty  days  of  almost  in- 
cessant rain.  The  Monongahela  might  be  avoided. 
The  defiles  on  Raystown  road  were  as  numerous  as 
on  Braddock's,  and  the  saving  in  distance  was  in- 
considerable. But  the  insuperable  objection  to  the 
new  route,  he  observed,  was  the  time  that  must  be 
expended  in  opening  it.  The  distance  was  little 
short  of  an  hundred  miles,  over  mountains,  almost 
impassible,  and  covered  with  woods  and  rocks. 
The  most  that  could  be  expected,  he  said,  on  this 
route  the  present  season,  would  be  to  gain  the 
.height  of  land,  there  erect  fortifications,  and  wait 
the  return  of  spring.  This  delay  must  be  attended 
with  ruinous  consequences  to  the  colonies,  which 
had  exerted  themselves  beyond  their  strength  to 
drive  the  French  from  the  Ohio  the  present  cam- 
paign. 

In  the  same  letter,  he  communicated  an  order 
of  march  on  Braddock's  road,  which  would  biing 
the  army  in  sixtyfour  days  before  Fort  du  Quesne, 
with  provisions  for  eighty  six  days.  He  also  wrote 
to  Maj.  Halket,  Aid  of  Gen.  Forbes,  to  engage  his 
good  offices  to  prevent  the  fatal  plan.  "  1  am  just 
returned  from  a  conference  held  with  Col.  Bouquet. 
I  find  him  fixed — I  think  I  may  say,  unalterably 
fixed,  to  lead  you  a  new  way  to  the  Ohio,  through  a 
road,  every  inch  of  which  is  to  be  cut  at  this  ad- 
vanced season,  when  we  have  scarcely  time  left  to 
tread  the  beaten  track,  universally  confessed  to  be 
the  best  passage  through  the  mountain. 


1758.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON,  33S 

"  If  Colonel  Bouquet  succeeds  in  this  point  with 
the  General,  all  is  lost  !  All  is  lost  indeed  !  Our 
enterprise  is  ruined,  and  we  shall  be  stopped  at  the 
Laurel  Hill  this  winter — but  not  to  gather  laurels, 
except  of  the  kind  which  cover  the  mountains. — 
The  southern  Indians  will  turn  against  us,  and  these 
colonies  will  be  desolated  by  such  an  accession  to 
the  enemy's  strength.  These  must  be  tlie  conse- 
quences of  a  miscarriage,  and  a  miscarriage  the  al- 
most necessary  consequence  of  an  attempt  to  march 
the  army  by  this  route." 

The  judgment  and  advice  of  Colonel  Wash- 
ington in  this  important  measure  were  overruled,' 
and  to  his  extreme  mortification,  the  new  route 
of  the  army  was  adopted.  The  disappointment  and 
gloomy  prospect  which  he  entertained,  are  strong- 
ly expressed  in  the  following  letter,  written  from 
Cumberland,  to  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Bur- 
gesses. 

Sept.  2,  *'  We  are  still  encamped  here,  very  sick- 
1758.  \y  aj-,^  dispirited  at  the  prospect  before  us- 
That  appearance  of  glory  which  we  once  had  in  view, 
even  that  hope,  that  laudable  ambition  of  serving 
our  country,  and  meriting  its  applause,  are  now  no 
more  ;  all  is  dwindled  into  ease,  sloth  and  fatal  in- 
activity. In  a  word,  all  is  lost,  if  the  ways  of  men 
in  power,  like  certain  ways  of  providence,  are  not 
inscrutable.  But  we,  who  vie\y  the  actions  of  great 
men  at  a  distance,  can  only  form  conjectures  agree- 
ably to  a  limited  perception  ;  and,  being  ignorant 
of  the  comprehensive  schemes  which  may  be  in  con- 
templation,  might  mistake  egregiously  in  judging  of 


34  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON".  [l758. 

things  from  appearances,  or  by  the  lump.  Yet  ev- 
ery fool  will  have  his  notions,  will  prattle  and  talk 
away  ;  and  why  may  not  I  ?  We  seem  then,  in  my 
opinion,  to  act  under  the  guidance  of  an  evil  genius. 
The  conduct  of  our  leaders,  if  not  actuated  by  su- 
periour  orders,  is  tempered  with  something — I  do 
not  care  to  give  a  name  to.  Nothing  now  but  a 
miracle  can  bring  this  campaign  to  a  happy  issue.'* 
Mentioning  the  arguments  he  had  brought  against 
the  new  road,  he  proceeds,  '*  But  I  spoke  all  una- 
vailingly.  The  road  was  immediately  begun,  and 
since  then,  from  one  to  two  thousand  men  have  con- 
stantly wrought  on  it.  By  the  last  accounts  I  have 
received,  they  had  cut  to  the  foot  of  Laurel  Hill, 
about  t'artyfive  miles,  and  I  suppose  by  this  time, 
fifteen  hundred  men  have  taken  post  about  ten  miles 
further,  at  a  place  called  Loyal  Hanna,  where  our 
next  fort  is  to  be  constructed. 

"  We  have  certain  intelligence,  that  the  French 
strength  at  Fort  du  Quesne  did  not  exceed  eight 
hundred  men,  the  13th  ultimo,  including  about  three 
or  four  hundred  Indians.  See  how  our  time  has 
been  mispent.... Behold  how  the  golden  opportunity 
is  lost,  perhaps  never  more  to  be  regained  !  How 
is  it  to  be  accounted  for  ?  Can  General  Forbes  have 
orders  for  this  ?  Impossible... .Will  tiien  our  injur- 
ed country  pass  by  such  abuses  ?  I  hope  not  ;  rath- 
er let  a  full  representation  of  the  matter  go  to  his 
Majesty  ;  let  him  know  how  grossly  his  glory  and 
interests,  and  the  publick  money  have  been  prosti- 
tuted." 


1758.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  35 

Col.  Grant,  with  a  force  of  eight  hundred  men, 
having  been  detached  to  reconnoitre  the  country, 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Ohio,  w  as  about  this 
time  defeated  with  loss ;  and  himself,  and  Major 
Lewis  of  Colonel  Washington's  regiment,  were 
taken  prisoners.  Three  companies  of  this  regiment 
were  on  the  expedition,  and  behaved  with  great 
bravery.  Of  eight  officers  belonging  to  these  com- 
panies, on  this  service,  five  were  killed,  one  wound- 
ed, and  one  taken  prisoner.  Capt.  Bullet,  who  had 
charge  of  the  baggage,  defended  it  with  great  reso- 
lution, and  did  much  to  protect  the  defeated  troops  ; 
he  fortunately  came  oft*  the  field  without  a  wound. 
This  spirited  and  soldierly  conduct  the  Britons  ac- 
knowledged to  be  highly  honourable  to  the  troops 
themselves,  and  to  the  Commander,  who  trained 
them  to  the  service.  Gen.  Forbes  complimented 
Colonel  Washington  on  the  occasion. 

Colonel  Washington  was  at  this  time  employ- 
ed on  the  new  road,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Rays- 
town. 

Oct.  s,  General  Forbes  resolved  that  the  main 
1758.  army  should  move  from  this  place  ;  and 
he  called  upon  the  commanding  officers  of  regi- 
ments to  lay  before  him  a  plan  for  its  march.  Col- 
onel Washington  presented  his  ;  it  has  been 
preserved,  and  is  said  to  display  the  soundness  of 
his  judgment. 

Through  a  road  almost  impassable,  the  army  at 
length  reached  Loyal  Hanna,  about  ten  miles  from 
the  foot  of  Laurel  Hill,  and  fortyfive  from  Fort 
Cumberland.    At  this  place  Colonel  Washin  gton 


36  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  j^l758. 

had  predicted  the  expedition  would  terminate.  In 
a  Council  of  War  it  was  actually  resolved  to  be  im- 
adviseuble  to  poceed  further  this  Autumn.  To 
have  wintered  in  this  inhospitable  wilderness  would, 
perhaps,  have  been  impossible  ;  but  before  any  dispo. 
sition  of  the  army  was  made,  intelligence  was  brought 
by  some  prisoners,that  the  garrison  of  Fort  du  Quesne 
had  not  been  supported  from  Canada  ;  that  the  In- 
dians had  deserted  it ;  and,  that  it  was  not  in  a  situa- 
tion to  make  resistance.  This  intelligence  induced 
General  Forbes  to  change  his  resolution,  and  to  push 
on  to  the  Ohio.  Colonel  Washington  was  or- 
dered to  the  front  to  superintend  opening  the  road 
for  the  army  ;  which  duty  he,  with  extreme  fatigue, 
executed.  In  slow  and  laborious  marches,  Gener- 
Nov.  25,  ill  Forbes  reached  du  Quesne,  and  found 
1758.  that  the  French,  on  the  evening  preceding 
his  arrival,  had  set  fire  to  this  fort,  and  had  passed 
in  their  boats  down  the  river. 

The  success  of  the  campaign  was  wholly  to  be 
attributed  to  the  pressure  of  the  English  on  Canada, 
which  constrained  the  French  Commander  in  chief  to 
call  in,  or  weaken  his  out  posts  ;  but  for  this  circum- 
stance, the  gloomy  predictions  of  Colonel  Wash- 
ington would  have  been  verified,  in  the  failure  of 
the  expedition. 

The  Fort  being  repaired,  w^^  called  Fort  Pitt, 
in  compliment  to  the  preeminent  British  Minister, 
under  whose  auspices  the  war  was  now  conducted. 

Colonel  Washington  furnished  two  hundred 
men  of  his  regiment  to  the  garrison,  and  soon  after 
returned  to  Williamsburg  to  take  his  seat  in  thp 


1758.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  37 

House  of  Burgesses,  of  which,  in  his  absence  he  had 
been  chosen  a  member. 

His  services,  while  commander  of  the  Virginia 
forces,  were  appreciated  by  his  countrymen  ;  and 
the  British  officers  with  whom  he  served,  bore  hon- 
ourable testimony  to  his  military  talents.  The  sol- 
dierly and  gallant  behaviour  of  his  regiment  in  the 
field,  exhibited  the  best  evidence  of  the  address  of 
their  commander,  in  training  them  to  exact  disci- 
pline, and  exciting  in  them  a  martial  spirit.  His 
officers  expressed  the  great  affection  and  respect, 
which  they  entertained  for  his  character,  by  an  unan- 
imous address,  presented  to  him  at  the  close  of  this 
campaign  ;  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  frontiers  plac- 
ed full  confidence  in  him,  even  at  a  time  when  he 
was  unable  to  defend  them  from  the  slaughter  and 
devastation  of  the  enemy. 

Colonel  Washington  now  saw  the  great  ob- 
ject attained,  to  which  for  years  he  had  directed  his 
whole  mind.  The  enemy  was  driven  from  the 
Ohio,  and  his  country,  in  a  great  measure,  relieved 
from  the  carnage  and  distress  of  an  Indian  war.... 
His  health  was  impaired  by  the  arduous  services  of 
the  campaign  ;  and  his  private  concerns  demanded 
his  attention.  He  therefore  resigned  his  military 
commission,  and  retired  to  the  tranquil  scenes  of 
domestick  life. 


38 


LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1759. 


CHAPTER    II. 


Colonel  WASHi2iGf0N*s  Marriage... .His  Management  of  the 
Estate  of  Mount  Vernon... .App.ointed  a  Judge  of  the  County 
Courty  and  a  Member  of  the  Virginia  Legislature. ...Chosen 

a  Member  of  the  first  Congress 4fifiointed  Conunander  in 

Chief  of  the  American  Forces. ...Arrives  at  Camp.. ...Arranges 
the  Army  ....Deficiency  of  Arms  and  Ammunition.... Colonel 
Arnold  detached  to  Quebeck... Success  of  American  Cruisers... 

JEvils  of  temporary  inlistments 4n  attack  on  the  Enemy's 

Posts  meditated. ...Possession  taken  of  the  Heights  of  Dor- 
chester...Boston  evacuated. 

1759.  oOON  after  the  resignation  of  his  mil- 
itary commission,  Colonel  Washington  marri- 
ed Mrs.  Martha  Custis,  a  young  and  beautiful 
widow,  who  possessed  an  ample  fortune,  and  whp 
was  endowed  with  those  amiable  and  pleasing  ac- 
complishments of  mind  and  manners,  which  give 
the  best  security  for  happiness  in  the  married  state. 
With  her,  he  lived  in  all  the  confidence,  endearment 
and  felicity  which  this  relation  can  produce. 

On  his  estate  of  Mount  Vernon,  he  extensively  en- 
gaged in  the  business  of  agriculture,  and  was  greatly 
distinguished  for  the  judgment  he  displayed  in  the 
improvement  of  his  lands.  Every  branch  of  busi- 
ness was  conducted  upon  system,  exact  method 
and  economy  were  observed  throughout  every  de- 
partment of   his  household,   the   accounts  of   his 


1759 74.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  39 

Overseers  he  weekly  inspected,  the  divisions  of 
his  farm  were  numbered,  the  expense  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  the  produce  of  each  lot  were  regularly- 
registered  ;  and,  at  one  view  he  could  determine  the 
profit  or  loss  of  any  crop,  and  ascertain  the  respec- 
tive advantages  of  particular  modes  of  husbandry. 
He  became  one  of  the  greatest  landholders  in  North 
America.  Besides  other  great  and  valuable  tracts, 
his  Mount  Vernon  estate  consisted  of  nine  thousand 
acres,  all  under  his  own  management.  On  which, 
in  one  year,  he  raised  seven  thousand  bushels  of 
wheat,  and  ten  thousand  of  Indian  corn.  His  domes- 
tick  and  farming  establishments  were  composed  of 
nearly  a  thousand  persons  ;  and  the  woollen  and  linen 
cloth  necessary  for  their  use,  was  chiefly  manufac- 
tured on  the  estate.* 

Order  and  industry  were  carried  into  all  his  con- 
cerns. The  authority  he  exercised  over  his  slaves 
was  blended  with  great  tenderness  and  humanity, 
and  their  affection  and  gratitude  insured  a  prompt 
and  cheerful  obedience  to  his  commands.  Mount 
Vernon  was  ever  the  seat  of  hospitality,  and  here  its 
rights  were  liberally  exercised.  Colonel  Wash- 
ington, although  exact  in  requiring  the  punctual 
fulfilment  of  contracts  and  engagements,  yet  was 
diffusive  in  offices  of  humanity,  and  deeds  of  char- 
ity to  those  of  his  vicinity  who  needed  his  assist- 
ance. 

From  the  close  of  the  war  on  the  frontiers  of 
Virginia,  to  the  commencement  of  the  rcvoluticn- 

*  See  "J-eg5cies  of  Washington,"  printed  at  Trenton,  in  i8oo. 


40  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [l775rf 

ary  contest,  Colonel  Washington  acted  as  a  Judge 
of  a  County  Court,  and  represented  his  district  in  the 
House  of  Burgesses  of  his  Province.  Although  never 
distinguished  as  a  popular  speaker,  yet  the  sound- 
ness of  his  judgment,  the  vvisdom  of  his  counsels, 
and  the  uniform  propriety  of  his  behaviour,  secured 
him  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  were 
acquainted  with  his  character. 

While  a  Legislator  of  Virginia,  he  took  an  ac- 
tive and  influential  part  in  opposition  to  the  principle 
assumed  by  the  British  Parliament,  to  tax  the  Amer-^ 
ican  Colonies.  When  it  became  expedient  to  train 
the  Militia  for  the  defence  of  those  rights,  which 
the  country  determined  never  to  sacrifice,  the  inde- 
pendent companies,  in  the  Northern  part  of  Virginia 
chose  him  their  Commander. 

He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  first  Congress, 
which  met  in  Philadelphia  in  1774  ;  in  which  body 
he  had  a  distinguished  agency  in  the  arrangement 
of  the  military  resources  of  the  United  Provinces. 
He  was  the  active  member  of  all  Committees,  to 
which  business  of  this  nature  was  entrusted. 
June  15,  -^^  ^^^  commencement  of  hostilities, 

1775.  Congress  deemed  it  necessary  to  appoint  a 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  American  forces.  The 
eminent  character  of  Colonel  Washington  pointed 
him  out,  as  the  best  qualified  to  unite  the  confidence 
of  the  publick,  and  successfully  to  conduct  the  ardu- 
ous conflicts  of  the  war.  Congress  unanimously 
elected  him  *'  General  and  Commander  in  Chief  of 
the  United  Colonies,  and  of  all  the  forces  now  rais- 
ed, and  to  be  raised  by  them."     When  the  Presi- 


1775.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  41 

dent  of  Congress  communicated  his  election,  he 
thus  addressed  him. 

*'  Mr.  President,  although  I  am  truly  sensible 
of  the  high  honour  done  me  in  this  appointment, 
yet  I  feel  great  distress  from  a  consciousness  that 
my  abilities  and  military  experience  may  not  be 
equal  to  the  extensive  trust.  However,  as  the 
Congress  desire  it,  I  will  enter  upon  the  mo- 
mentous duty,  and  exert  every  power  I  possess  in 
their  service,  and  for  the  support  of  the  glorious 
cause.  I  beg  they  will  accept  my  most  cordial 
thanks  for  this  distinguished  testimony  of  their  ap- 
probation. 

'*' But  lest  some  unlucky  event  should  happen, 
unfavourable  to  my  reputation,  I  beg  it  may  be  re- 
membered by  every  gentleman  in  the  room,  that  I 
this  day  declare,  with  the  utmost  sincerity,  1  do  not 
think  myself  equal  to  the  command  I  am  honoured 
with.  I  beg  leave,  Sir,  to  assure  the  Congress, 
that,  as  no  pecuniar}'^  consideration  could  have  tempt- 
ed me  to  accept  this  arduous  employment,  at  the 
expense  of  my  domestick  case  and  happiness,  I  do 
not  wish  to  make  any  profit  from  it.  I  will  keep  an 
exact  account  of  my  expenses.  These,  I  doubt  notj 
they  will  discharge,  and  that  is  all  I  desire.^' ( 

Congress,  when  his  commission  was  executed, 
unanimously  and  solemnly  resolved,  to  support  him 
with  their  lives  and  fortunes,  as  the  General  of  their 
army,  in  defence  of  the  country.  General  Wash- 
INGTON  instantly  prepared  to  enter  upon  the  eventful 
duties  of  his  command.  The  difficulties  which  he 
was  to  encounter,  will  clearly  appear  from  a  slight 

G 


42  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1775* 

view  of  the  state  of  the  country,  and  of  the  condi- 
tion of  the  army. 

As  a  means  to  repel  the  encroachments  of  the 
British  Parliament,  the  American  merchants  had 
generally  entered  into  resolutions,  not  to  import  ar- 
ticles of  merchandise  from  Great  Britain  ;  and  at 
the  commencement  of  the  war,  the  country  was,  in 
a  great  degree,  destitute  of  ammunition,  and  of  every 
material  necessary  to  clothe  an  army,  and  furnish  the 
men  with  tents.  There  were  no  considerable  mag- 
azines of  provisions,  and  few  tools  suitable  for  the 
work  of  fortification.  The  men  who  composed  the 
army  were  raised  by  different  States,  on  short  inlist- 
ments,  and  on  different  establishments  ;  and  they 
carried  into  the  camp,  the  feelings  and  habits  form- 
ed by  their  respective  pursuits  in  private  life.  They 
were  animated  by  the  love  of  liberty,  and  possessed 
the  resolution  and  bravery  of  hardy  yeomanry  ;  but 
they  could  not  easily  be  brought  to  submit  to  the 
rigid  rules  of  military  subordination  and  discipline. 
The  authority  of  Congress  and  of  different  Colonies, 
was  blended  in  all  the  arrangements  of  the  army. 
These  causes  occasioned  numerous  and  complicated 
embarrassments  to  the  Commander  in  Chief. 

Tlije  appointment  of  General  Washington 
was  universally  approved.  On  his  journey  to  head 
quarters,  he  met  with  tlie  most  affectionate  attention, 
and  received  the  fullest  assurances  of  assistance  and 
support.  He  was  escorted  by  companies  of  respecta- 
ble volunteers ;  and,  at  Springfield,  an  hundred 
miles  from  Boston,  a  Committee  of  the  Congress  of 
Massachusetts  met,*and  attended  him  to  Cambridge. 


1775.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  43 

July  2,  O'l  his  arrival,  that  body  presented  him  a 
^775.  respectful  address,  in  v\hichthey  expressed 
their  entire  satisfaction  with  his  appointment,  and 
pledged  the  most  effectual  cooperation  with  his  meas- 
ures, in  their  power.  His  answer  was  well  calculat- 
ed to  increase  the  attachments  to  his  person,  and  the 
confidence  in  his  talents,  which  the  publick  already 
entertained. 

'*  Gentlemen,  your  kind  congratulations  on 
my  appoipitment  and  arrival,  demand  my  warmest 
acknowledgments,  and  will  ever  be  retained  in 
grateful  remembrance.  In  exchanging  the  enjoy- 
ment of  domestick  life,  for  the  duties  of  my  pres- 
ent honourable,  but  arduous  situation,  I  only 
emulate  the  virtue  and  publick  spirit  of  the  whole 
Province  of  Massachusetts,  w  hich,  with  a  firmness 
and  patriotism  without  an  example,  has  sacrificed 
all  the  comforts  of  social  and  political  life,  in  sup- 
port of  the  rights  of  mankind,  and  the  welfare  of  our 
common  country.  My  highest  ambition  is  to  be 
the  happy  instrument  of  vindicating  these  rights, 
and  to  see  this  devoted  Province  again  restored  to 
peace,  liberty  and  safety." 

The  British  army,  at  this  time,  commanded  by 
General  Gage,  was  strongly  posted  in  three  divis- 
ions ;  on  Bunker's  Hill,  a  mile  from  the  ferry  of 
Charles's  River,  on  Cop's  Hill,  in  Boston,  and  on 
Roxbury  neck.  These  fortified  posts  secured  the 
isthmus  of  Boston,  and  that  of  Charlestovvn,  the 
only  avenues  by  land  into  those  towns.  Floating 
batteries  and  armed  ships,  stationed  in  the  waters 
which   surround    Boston,  supported  the   positions 


44  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

of  the  British,  and  kept  open  the  communication 
between  them. 

The  American  army  was  posted  at  Roxbury, 
Cambridge,  and  on  Winter  and  Prospect  Hills,  in 
front  of  Bunker's  Hill.  These  positions  formed  a 
crescent  of  twelve  miles  in  extent.  After  reconnoi- 
tring the  situation  of  the  enemy,  ajid  examining 
the  state  of  his  own  army,  the  General  attempted  a 
better  organization  of  the  troops.  He  formed  them 
into  tVree  divisions  ;  the  division  at  Roxbury  form- 
ed the  right  wing  of  the  army,  and  was  commanded 
by  Gen.  Ward  ;  the  division  on  Prospect  and  Win- 
ter Hills,  composed  the  left  wing,  and  was  command- 
ed by  Gen.  Lee  ;  and  the  troops  at  Cambridge  form- 
ed the  centre,  and  were  commanded  by  Gen,  Wash- 
ington in  person.  The  forces  were  deemed  in- 
competent to  defend  this  extended  camp,  but  the 
situation  of  the  country  did  not  favour  a  more  com- 
pact arrangement  ;  nor  could  the  neighbouring 
country  be  otherwise  defended  from  the  depreda- 
tions of  the  enemy. 

These  positions  were  secured  by  lines  and  forts ; 
and  a  few  companies  of  men  were  posted  in  the 
towns,  around  Boston  Bay,  most  exposed  to  annoy- 
ance by  British  armed  vessels. 

General  Washington  found  himself  embar- 
rassed by  the  total  want  of  system  in  every  depart- 
ment of  the  army.  In  the  execution  of  the  duties 
of  his  commission,  it  became  necessary  to  open  a 
correspondence,  not  only  with  the  Continental  Con- 
gress,  and  with  most  of  the  Governments  of  the 
Colonies,  but  also  with  the  Committees  of  all  those 


1775.]  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  4,5 

towns  which  furnished  supplies  for  the  army.     In  4 
letter  to  Congress  on  this  subject,  he  observes, 

*'  I  should  be  extremely  deficient  of  gratitude,  as 
well  as  justice,  if  I  did  not  take  the  first  opportunity 
to  acknowledge  the  readiness  andattention  which  the 
Congress,  and  the  different  Committees  have  shewn, 
to  make  every  thing  as  convenient  and  agreeable  as 
possible  ;  but  there  is  a  vital  and  inherent  principle 
of  delay,  incompatible  with  military  service,  in  trans- 
acting business  through  such  various  and  different 
channels.  I  esteem  it  my  duty,  therefore,  to  repre- 
sent the  inconvenience  that  must  unavoidably  ensue 
from  a  dependence  on  a  number  of  persons  for  sup- 
plies, and  submit  it  to  the  consideration  of  Congress, 
whether  the  publick  service  will  not  be  the  best 
promoted  by  appointing  a  Commissary  General  for 
the  purpose." 

An  inquiry  into  the  state  of  the  magazine  of 
powder,  was  among  the  first  cares  of  Gen.  Wash- 
ington, and  three  hundred  and  three  barrels  in 
store  was  the  return  made  to  him.  Soon  after  he 
discovered,  that  this  return  embraced  the  whole 
quantity  brought  into  camp,  without  deducting  what 
had  been  expended  ;  and  that  there  remained  on 
hand,  only  sufficient  to  furnish  the  army  with  nine 
cartridges  a  man.  While  the  greatest  caution  was 
used  to  keep  this  alarming  fact  a  secret,  the  utmost 
exertions  were  employed  to  obtain  a  supply  of  this 
article  of  absolute  necessity  in  war.  Application  was 
made  to  all  the  Colonies,  and  measures  were  adopt- 
ed, to  import  powder  into  the  country.  The  imme- 
diate danger  was  soon  removed  by  an  arrival  of  a 


46  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775', 

small  quantity,  sent  froir.  Elizabethtown,  in  New 
Jersey.  Under  the  perplexities  which  arose  from 
the  defect  of  arms,  the  want  of  clothing  and  maga- 
zines, from  the  want  of  engineers,  and  from  the 
confused  state  of  the  staff  department,  the  mind  of 
Gen.  Washington  was,  in  some  measure,  cheer- 
ed by  a  view  of  the  men  who  composed  his  troops. 
*'  It  requires,"  says  he,  in  a  letter  to  the  President 
of  Congress,  *'  no  military  skill  to  judge  of  the 
difficulty  of  introducing  proper  discipline  and  sub- 
ordination into  an  army,  while  we  have  the  enemy 
in  view,  and  are  daily  in  expectation  of  an  attack  ; 
but  it  is  of  so  much  importance,  that  every  effort 
will  be  made  that  time  and  circumstances  will  ad- 
mit. In  the  mean  time,  I  have  a  sincere  pleasure 
in  observing  that  there  are  materials  for  a  good  ar- 
my ;  a  great  number  of  able  bodied  men,  active, 
zealous  in  the  cause,  and  of  unquestionable  cour- 
age." The  details  of  the  departments  of  the  Pay- 
master, Quartermaster  and  Commissary,  fell  upon 
Gen.  Washington,  andhe  urged  Congress  to  fill 
them.  Being  himself  authorised  to  make  the  ap- 
pointments, he  called  to  his  assistance  the  general 
staff,  which  is  necessary  for  the  regular  support 
and  expeditious  movements  of  an  army  ;  and  as- 
siduously prosecuted  plans  to  organize  and  discipline 
his  troops. 

General  Gage  had,  at  his  disposal,  a  force  con- 
sisting of  eight  thousand  men,  and,  by  the  aid  of  his 
shipping,  he  was  enabled  to  direct  it  to  any  point 
of  the  extended  lines  of  the  Americans,  w  hose  ar- 
my did  not  amount  40  more  than  fourteen  thousand 


1775.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  47 

and  five  hundred  men.  General  Washington 
was  fully  apprized  of  his  danger,  and  early  summon- 
ed the  General  officers  to  deliberate  upon  the  expe- 
diency  of  attempting  to  support  their  present  posi- 
tion, or  of  taking  one  in  their  rear  more  compact. 
The  council  with  unanimity  advised  to  remain  in 
their  present  lines.  The  reasons  in  support  of  this 
opinion  were,  the  immediate  effect  which  a  retro- 
grade movement  would  have  to  animate  the  British, 
and  to  depress  the  American  troops  ;  the  unfavour- 
able impression  that  would  be  made  upon  the  pub- 
lick  mind  ;  the  devastation  of  the  fertile  country, 
that  must  be  opened  to  the  enemy,  and,  the  difficul- 
ty of  finding  a  strong  position  in  the  rear.  As  a 
precautionary  measure,  it  was  determined  that  they 
would  not  take  possession  of  the  heights  of  Dorches- 
ter, nor  oppose  the  attempt  of  General  Gage  to  gain 
them.  In  case  of  an  attack  and  defeat,  the  Welsh 
mountains  in  Cambridge,  and  the  rear  of  the  lines 
in  Roxbury,  were  appointed  as  places  of  rendezvous. 
The  enemy  was  watched  with  vigilant  attention  ; 
and  any  movements  which  threatened  a  distant  in- 
vasion, were  communicated  to  Congress,  and  to  the 
Executives  of  the  Provinces  particularly  exposed. 
The  enemy  had  been  taught  respect  for  the 
American  army  by  the  battle  of  Breed's  Hill,  and 
their  plans,  from  that  period  through  the  year,  were 
directed  to  self  defence.  With  little  interrup- 
tion, both  armies  were  employed  in  strengthening 
their  respective  lines  and  posts.  The  few  skirmishes 
which  took  place  between  small  parties,  neither  in 
their  nature  or  consequences  merit  notice. 


49  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTOIT.  [1775. 

The  mere  defence  of  lines,  did  not  satisfy  the 
enterprizingand  patriotick  mind  of  General  Wash- 
ington. With  extreme  anxiety  he  noticed  the  ex- 
pense of  the  campaign,  without  possessing  the 
means  of  diminishing  it. 

He  knew  that  his  countiy  was  destitute  cf  rev- 
enue, and  apprehended  that  her  resources  must  soon 
be  exhausted.  In  a  few  months  the  army  of  course 
would  be  disbanded,  and  the  inlistment  of  another, 
he  conceived  to  be  extremely  difficult,  if  practica- 
ble ;  powerful  reinforcements  to  the  enemy  were, 
in  the  Spring,  to  be  expected  from  England  ;  and  he 
thought  it  doubtful,  whether  proportionate  strength 
could  be  collected  in  the  Colonies  to  meet  them  in 
the  field.  He  conceived  it,  therefore,  of  vast  impor- 
tance to  the  American  cause  to  subdue  the  army  in 
Boston,  before  it  could  be  reinforced.  An  event  of 
this  magnitude  would  unite  and  animate  the  Colo- 
nies, and  convince  Great  Britain,  that  America  was 
determined  in  her  opposition  to  the  measures  of 
Parliament.  Under  these  impressions  he  often  re- 
connoitred the  enemy,  and  collected  information 
of  their  numbers  and  strength,  from  every  possible 
source.  The  attempt  to  dislodge  the  British,  he 
well  knew  would  be  attended  with  extreme  hazard  ; 
but,  it  was  his  opinion,  that  the  probability  of  ulti- 
mate success,  and  the  great  advantages  accruing 
from  it,  warranted  the  effort.  In  a  letter  to  the 
General  Officers,  he  stated  the  questions,  to  which 
he  desired  them  to  direct  their  close  attention  ;  and 
after  sufficient  time  had  been  given  for  deliberation, 
he  called  them  into  council  to  determine,  whether 


1775.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  4? 

an  attack  on  Boston  should  be  made  ?  The  result 
was  an  unanimous  opinion,  ''that  for  the  present, 
at  least,  the  attempt  ought  not  be  made."  To  con- 
tinue  the  blockade,  and  to  strengthen  their  lines, 
was  all  that  remained  in  their  power. 

Alihough  the  Commander  in  Chief  acquiesced 
in  the  decision  of  the  Council,  yet  it  was  evident, 
from  his  letter  to  Congress,  that  he  himself  felt  inclin- 
ed to  risk  the  attack.  Probably  this  inclination  was 
increased  by  the  wishes  of  Congress,  previously- 
communicated  to  him. 

The  scarcity  of  fresh  provisions  in  Boston,  in- 
duced the  enemy  to  send  small  parties  to  collect 
the  stock  along  the  shores  of  the  continent,  within 
protecti!"!g  distance  of  their  armed  vessels.  This 
imposed  an  heavy  burden  upon  the  towns  on  the  sea 
board,  in  the  defence  of  their  property  ;  and  the 
Governours  of  several  of  the  Colonies  were  fre- 
quent and  importunate  in  their  request  to  General 
Washington,  to  detach  forces  from  his  army  for 
their  protection.  He  was  embarrassed  by  repeated 
requisitions  of  this  nature.  To  make  the  required 
detachments,  would  expose  the  main  army  to  inev- 
itable destruction;  and  to  deny  the  requests,  would 
occasion  dissatisfactions,  which  endangered  a  cause 
that  could  be  supported  by  publick  opinion  onl}^ 
To  relieve  him  from  this  embarrassment.  Congress 
passed  a  resolution,  "  That  the  army  before  Boston, 
was  designed  only  to  oppose  the  enemy  in  that 
place,  and  ought  not  to  be  \^^eaken(:d  by  detachments 
for  the  secyrity  of  other  parts  of  the  country." 


^6  LIFZ     OF     WASHINGTON.  [1775, 

General  Washington  early  gave  an  example 
of  the  humane  mdnner  in  which  he  determined  to 
conduct  the  war.  By  the  representations  of  individ- 
uals from  Nova  Scotia,  Congress  was  led  to  suppose 
that  a  small  force  from  the  American  army,  aided 
by  those  inhabitants  of  that  Province,  who  were  in 
the  American  interest,  might  suprise  a  British  gar- 
rison at  Fort  Cumi^erland,  at  the  head  of  the  Bay  of 
Fundy,  and  possess  themselves  of  valuable  military 
stores,  if  not  retain  the  country  ;  the  measure 
was,  therefore,  recommended  by  that  body  to  their 
General.  On  examination,  he  found  that  the 
stores  were  of  no  magnitude,  and  that  the  expe- 
dition would  expose  the  friends  of  America  in  that 
Province  to  inevitable  ruin,  from  the  prosecutions 
of  their  own  Government,  and  he  discountenanced 
the  scheme.  The  attempt  was,  however,  eventu- 
ally made  by  a  few  indiscreet  individuals,  but  it 
failed,  and  involved  the  inhabitants  of  Nova  Scotia, 
who  engaged  in  it,  in  the  predicted  ruin. 

Some  of  the  American  cruisers,  acting  without 
publjck  orders,  brought  three  of  the  principal  inhab- 
itants of  the  Island  of  St.  John  into  General  Wash- 
ing ton's  camp;  he  treated  them  with  the  great- 
est tenderness,  and  permitted  them  immediately  to 
return  to  their  distressed  families. 

In  the  course  of  the  Autumn,  gradual  approaches 
were  made  towards  the  British  posts.  The  army 
being  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  Morgan's  Rifle- 
men, from  Virginia,  and  of  a  number  of  regiments 
from  Connecticut  and  Rhodeisland,  Gen,  Wasii- 


1775.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON".  51 

Sept.  IN g TON  detached  Colonel  Arnold,  with  a 
1773.  thousand  men,  by  the  rivers  Kennebeck  and 
St.  Francis,  to  cooperate  with  General  Montgom- 
ery in  Canada  ;  and,  if  possible,  to  surprise  Que- 
beck,  the  capital  of  that  Province.  Arnold,  and 
about  six  hundred  of  his  men,  actuated  by  uncon- 
querable resolution,  with  incouceiviible  fatigue, 
reached  Quebeck.  The  situation  of  the  garrison 
corresponded  with  the  presumptions,  on  which  the 
expedition  was  founded  ;  but  a  number  of  circum- 
stances, not  open  to  human  foresight,  nor  controula- 
ble  by  human  prudence,  rendered  it  unsuccessful. 
Through  the  season,  the  highest  endeavours  of 
the  Commander  in  Chief  were  exerted  to  procure 
arms  and  ammunition  for  his  troops,  and  partial 
success  attended  the  measures  adopted  in  every  part  of 
the  union,  to  accomplish  this  important  purpose.  A 
successful  voyage  was  also  made  to  Africa,  and  every 
pound  of  gun  powder  for  sale  in  the  British  factories 
on  that  coast,  was  obtained,  in  exchange  for  Nev/ 
England  rum.  Capt.  Manly,  in  the  Privateer  Lee, 
captured  a  British  ordnance  ship,  laden  with  milita- 
ry stores,  so  complete ly  adapted  to  the  \^  ants  of  the 
American  army,  that  had  Congress  made  out  an  in- 
voice, a  better  assortment  could  not  have  been 
procured.  Considerations  respecting  tlie  reinlist- 
ment  of  the  army,  lay  with  immense  weight  on  the 
mind  of  General  Washington,  and  he  repeatedly 
invited  the  attention  of  Congress  to  this  subject. 
In  September,  Congress  appointed  a  Committee  of 
their  own  body  to  repair  to  Head  Quarters,  to  con- 
sult with  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and  the  Execu- 


52  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

lives  of  the  New  England  Provinces,  "  on  the  most 
effectual  method  of  continuing,  supporting,  and  reg- 
ulating a  Continental  army."  The  result  of  their 
deliberation  was,  that  the  new  army  should  consist 
of  twenty  thousand  three  hundred  and  seventy  two 
men  ;  but  unhappily,  the  men  were  to  be  inlisted 
only  for  one  year.  The  evils  resulting  from  short 
inlistments  were  severely  felt  at  the  close  of  the  next 
campaign,  even  to  the  utmost  hazard  of  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  country. 

Various  causes  operated  to  lead  Congress  to  the  al- 
most fatal  plan  of  temporary  military  establishments. 
Among  the  most  influential  of  these,  was  a  prospect 
of  accommodation  with  the  parent  state.  Want  of  ex- 
perience in  the  management  of  war  upon  an  extensive 
scale  was  another.  The  revolutionary  conflict  placed 
the  people  of  America  in  a  situation,  in  which  all 
the  energies  of  the  human  mind  are  brought  into 
action,  and  mm  makes  his  noblest  eftbrts  ;  the  oc- 
casion called  upon  the  publick  theatre,  statesmen 
and  warriors,  who,  by  the  wise  and  honourable 
execution  of  the  complicated  duties  of  their  new 
characters,  surprised  the  world  ;  still  from  ihem, 
errours  of  inexperience  were  to  be  expected. 
The  fear  of  accumulating  expense,  which  the  re- 
sources of  the  country  could  not  discharge,  had  a 
leading  influence  to  deter  the  American  Government 
from  the  adoption  of  permanent,  military  establish- 
ments ;  although  the  recommendations  of  Con- 
gress, and  the  regulations  of  Statfe  Conventions  had, 
in  the  day  of  enthusiasm,  the  force  of  law,  yet  the 
ruling  power  thought  it  inexpedient  to  attempt  to 


1775,]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  53 

raise  large  sums  by  direct  taxes,  at  a  time  when  the 
commerce  of  the  country  was  annihihited,  and  the 
cultivators  of  the  ground  were  subjected  to  heavy 
services  in  the  field  of  war.  The  only  recourse  w  as 
to  a  paper  medium,  without  funds  for  its.  redemption, 
or  for  the  support  of  its  credit,  and  therefore  of  ne. 
cessity  subject  to  depreciation,  nnd,  in  its  natisre, 
capable  of  only  a  temporary  currency  ;  Congress, 
therefore,  was  justly  afraid  of  the  expense  of  a  per- 
manent army.  Jealousy  toward  a  standing  army, 
had  a  powerful  influence  upon  the  militar}  arrange- 
ments of  America  ;  this  jealous  spirit  early  insinu- 
ated itself  into  the  Legislative  bodies  of  the  Colo- 
nies, and  was  displayed  in  many  of  their  measures. 
It  appears  in  the  address  presented  by  the  Provin- 
cial Assembly  of  New  York  to  Gen.  Washing- 
ton, while  on  his  journey  to  the  American  camp. 
*'  We  have  the  fullest  assurance,  say  they,  that  v.  hen 
ever  this  important  contest  shall  be  decided,  by  that 
fondest  wish  of  each  American  soul,  an  accommo- 
dation with  our  Mother  Country,  you  will  cheerfully 
resign  the  important  deposit  committed  into  your 
hands,  and  reassume  the  character  of  our  v/orthiest 
citizen."  Congress,  as  a  body,  unquestionably  felt 
this  jealousy,  and  was  afraid  to  trust  a  standing 
army  with  the  power  necessary  to  conduct  the  war, 
lest,  at  its  successful  termination,  this  army  should 
become  the  master  of  the  country  for  whose  liber- 
ties it  had  fought.  The  plan  of  temporary  iiiiist- 
ments  was  adopted  by  Congress,  in  the  confident 
persuasion,  that  draughts  on  every  occrcsion  might 
be  made  from  the  militia,  to  oppose  any  force  Briiain 


54  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  (^1775, 

could  bring  into  the  field;  and  that  the  native  patri- 
otiijiTi  and  brave,  y  of  the  Americans  would  prove 
superiour  to  the  mechanical  movements  of  disciplin- 
ed troops. 

There  being  no  magazines  of  arms  in  the  coun- 
try, the  soldiers  of  the  first  campaign  were  of  neces- 
sity permitted  to  bring  their  own  muskets  into  ser- 
vice, although  their  different  length  and  size  occa- 
sioned much  inconvenience.  By  the  i  egulation  of 
Congress  for  the  new  inlistment,  the  soldiers,  who 
chose  not  to  serve  another  campaign,  were  not  per- 
mitted to  carry  home  their  arms  ;  but  they  were  to 
receive  payment  for  them  by  appraisement.  Every 
soldier  who  inlisted  was  to  find  a  gun,*  or  pay  a 
dollar  to  the  Government  for  the  use  of  one  during 
the  campaign.  Every  soldier,  who  found  himself 
a  blanket  was  to  receive  two  dollars.  As  it  \Aas  im- 
practicable to  clothe  the  army  in  uniforms,  clothes 
of  different  colours  were  provided,  the  price  of 
which  was  to  be  deducted  from  the  w  ages  of  the 
men. 

As  soon  as  the  plan  of  the  new  army  was  settled, 
General  Washington  adopted  measures  to  carry 
it  into  execution.  In  general  orders  he  directed, 
that  all  officers,  who  intended  to  decline  the  service 
of  their  country  at  the  expiration  of  their  present 
engagements,  should  in  writing  make  known  their 
intention  to  their  respective  Colonels  ;  which  was 
to  be  communicated  to  the  General  Oflicers  com- 
manding Brigades.  *'  Those  brave  men,  and  true 
patriots,  \\  ho  resolved  to  continue,  to  serve  and  de- 
fend their  brethren,  privileges  and  property,"  were 


1775.3  LIFE    or     WASHINGTON'.  SS 

called  upon  in  the  same  manner  to  make  known 
their  intentions,  and  to  consider  themselves  as  en- 
gaged to  the  last  of  December,  1776,  unless  sooner 
discharged  by  Congress. 

The  period  of  patriotick  enthusiasm  had,  in  some 
measure,  passed  away  ;  numbers  of  officers  consent- 
ed conditionally  to  remain  in  the  army,  and  many 
made  no  communication  on  the  subject.  Immedi- 
ate decision  was  necessary  ;  and,  in  new  orders,  the 
Commander  in  Chief  solemnly  called  upon 

Oct    30  ,  .  . 

them  for  a  direct  and  unconditional  answer 
to  his  inquiry.  *'  The  times,"  he  observtd,  *' and 
the  importance  of  the  great  cause  we  are  engaged  in, 
allow  no  room  for  hesiiation  and  delay.  When 
life,  liberty  and  property  are  at  stake  ;  when  our 
country  is  in  danger  of  being  a  melancholy  scene  of 
bloodshed  and  desolation  ;  when  our  towns  are 
laid  in  ashes  ;  innocent  women  and  children  driven 
from  their  peaceful  habitations,  exposed  to  the  rig- 
ours of  an  inclement  season,  to  depend  perhaps,  on 
the  hand  of  charity  for  support ;  v\  hen  calamities  like 
these  are  staring  us  in  the  face,  and  a  brutal  enem.y  tre 
threatening  us,  and  every  thing  we  hold  dear,  A\iih 
destruction  from  foreign  troops  ;  it  little  becomes 
the  character  of  a  soloier  to  shrink  from  darger,  and 
condition  for  new  terms.  It  is  the  General's  inten- 
tion to  indulge  both  officers  and  soldiers,  who  com- 
pose the  new  army,  with  furloughs  for  a  reasonable 
time  ;  but  this  must  be  done  in  such  a  manner  as 
not  to  injure  the  service,  or  weaken  the  aimy  too 
much  at  once." 

The  troops  were  assured  that  clothes,  on  reason- 
able  terms,  were  provided  '*  for  those  brave  sol- 


S6  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

diers,  who  intended  to  continue  in  the  army  another 
year.     With  great  difficuhy  the  arrangement  of  of- 
ficers was'completed,  and  recruitine;  orders 
Nov.  12,  ,  .     ^       .  ° 

were  mimediately  issued.  Recruiting  offi- 
cers were  directed  to  "be  careful  not  to  inlist  any 
person  suspected  of  being  unfriendly  to  the  liberties 
of  America,  or  any  abandoned  vagabond,  to  uhom 
all  causes  and  countries  are  equal,  and  alike  indifi'er-  " 
ent.  The  rights  of  mankind,  and  the  freedom  of 
America  would  have  numbers  sufficient  to  support 
them,  without  resorting  to  such  wretched  assist- 
ance. Let  tliose,  who  wish  to  put  shackles  up- 
on freemen,  fill  their  ranks  with,  and  place  their 
confidence  in  such  miscreants."  To  aid  the 
cause,  popular  songs  were  composed  and  circulated 
through  the  camp,  calculated  to  inspire  the  soldiery 
with  the  love  of  country,  and  to  induce  them  to  en- 
gage anew  in  the  publick  service.  But  unfortunately, 
the  army  at  this  time  was  badly  supplied  with  cloth- 
ing, provisions  and  fuel,  and  the  consequent  suffer- 
ings of  the  soldiers,  operating  upon  their  strong  de- 
sire to  visit  their  homes,  prevented  their  inlistment 
in  the  expected  numbers.  On  the  last  day  of  De- 
cember, when  the  first  term  of  service  expired,  only^ 
nine  thousand  six  hundred  and  fifty  men  had  inlist^ 
ed  for  the  new  army,  and  many  of  these  were  of 
"  necessity  permitted  to  be  absent  on  furlough.  It 
was  found  impossible  to  retain  the  old  troops  a  sin- 
gle day  after  their  times  expired.  General  Wash- 
ington called  upon  the  Governments  of  the  reigh- 
bouring  Provinces  for  detachments  of  militia  to  man 
his  lines,  and  he  was  highly  gratified  by  the  prompt 


1776.}  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  57 

compliance  with  his  demand.  In  a  letter  to  Con- 
gress he  writes,  "  The  militia  that  are  come  in,  both 
from  this  Province  and  New  Hampshire,  are  very  fine 
looking  men,  and  go  through  their  duty  with  great 
alacrity.  The  despatch  made,  both  by  the  people  in 
marching,  and  by  the  Legislative  powers  in  com- 
plying with  my  XTquisition,  has  given  me  infinite 

satisfaction." 

In  the  space  of  time,  between  that  of  disbanding; 

the  old  army,  and  of  an  effective  force  from  the  new 
recruits,  the  lines  were  often  in  a  defenceless  state  ; 
the  enemy  must  have  known  the  fact  ;  and  no  ade- 
quate reason  can  be  assigned,  why  an  attack  was  not 
made. 

Jan.  4  "It  is  not,"  says  General  Washing- 

i776i  TON,  in  his  communications  to  Congress, 
"  in  the  pages  of  history  to  furnish  a  case  like  ours. 
To  maintain  a  post,  within  musket  shot  of  the  ene- 
my, for  six  months  together,  without  ammunition, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  to  disband  one  army  and  re- 
cruit another,  within  that  distance  of  twenty  odd 
British  regiments,  is  more,  probably,  than  ever  was 
attempted.  But  if  we  succeed  as  well  in  the  last, 
as  we  have  heretofore  in  the  first,  I  shall  think  it  the 
most  fortunate  event  of  my  whole  life." 

To  defend  the  American  lines  with  an  incompe- 
tent number  of  troops,  with  defective  arms,  and  with- 
out an  adequate  supply  of  ammunition  ;  to  disband 
one  army  and  recruit  another  in  the  face  of  eio^ht 
thousand  British  soldiers,  will  be  viewed  as  a  hazard- 
ous measure,  and  will  be  supposed,  with  the  organ- 
ization and  discipline  of  the  men,  to  have  emplo"M 
I 


58  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  |]1776. 

every  active  power  of  the  General ;  yet  this  did  not 
satisfy  his  mind.  He  knew,  that  Congress,  with 
solicitude  contemplated  more  decisive  measures, 
and  that  the  country  looked  for  events  of  gi eat- 
er magnitude.  The  publick  was  ignorant  of  his  act- 
ual situation,  and  conceived  his  means  for  offensive 
operations,  to  be  much  greater,  than  in  reality 
they  were ;  and  from  him  expected  the  capture 
or  expulsion  of  the  British  army  in  Boston.  He 
felt  the  imnortance  of  securing  the  confidence  of 
his  countrymen  by  some  brilliant  action,  and  was 
fully  sensible  that  his  own  reputation  was  liable  to 
suffer,  if  he  confined  himself  solely  to  measures  of 
defence.  To  publish  to  his  anxious  country,  in  his 
vindication,  the  state  of  his  army,  would  be  to  ac- 
quaint the  enemy  with  his  weakness,  and  to  involve 
his  destruction. 

The  firmness  and  patriotism  of  General  Wash- 
ington, were  displayed  in  making  the  good  of  his 
country  an  object  of  higher  consideration,  than  the 
applause  of  those,  who  were  incapable  of  forming  a 
correct  opinion  of  the  propriety  of  his  measures.  On 
this,  and  on  many  other  occasions  during  the  viar, 
he  withstood  the  voice  of  the  populace,  rejected  the 
entreaties  of  the  sanguine,  and  refused  to  adopt  the 
plans  of  the  rash,  that  he  might  ultimately  secure 
the  great  object  of  contention. 

While  he  resolutely  rejected  every  measure,  that 
iji  his  calm  and  deliberate  judgment,  he  did  not  ap- 
prove, he  daily  pondered  upon  the  practicability  of 
a  successful  attack  upon  Boston.  As  a  preparatory 
step,  he  took   possession  of  Plowed  Hill,  Cobble 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  59 

Hill  and  Lechmere's  Point,  and  upon  them  erected 
fortifications.  These  posts  brought  him  within  half 
a  mile  of  the  enemy's  works  on  Bunker's  Hill ;  and, 
by  his  artillery,  he  drove  the  British  floating  batteries 
from  their  stations  in  Charles's  River.  He  erected 
floating  batteries,  to  watch  the  movements  of  his 
enemy,  and  to  aid  in  any  offensive  operations, 
that  circumstances  might  warrant.  He  took  the 
opinion  of  his  General  Officers  a  second  time  re- 
specting the  meditated  attack  ;  they  again  unani- 
mously gave  their  opinion  in  opposition  to  the  meas- 
ure, and  this  opinion  was  immediately  communicat- 
ed to  Congress.  Congress  appeared  still  to  favour 
the  attempt,  and,  that  an  apprehension  of  danger  to 
the  town  of  Boston,  might  not  have  an  undue  influ- 
ence upon  the  operations  of  the  army,  had  re- 
solved, in  Dec.  1775,  "That  if  Gen.  Washing- 
ton and  his  Council  of  w  ar  should  be  of  opinion,  that 
a  successful  attack  might  be  made  on  the  troops  in 
Boston,  he  should  make  it  in  any  manner  he  might 
think  expedient,  notwithstanding  the  town,  and 
property  therein,  might  thereby  be  destroyed." 

General  Howe  had,  in  October  succeeded  Gen. 
Gage  in  the  command  of  the  British  army,  and 
through  the  winter  confined  himself  to  measures  of 
defence. 

The  inability  of  the  American  General  to  ac- 
complish the  great  object  of  the  campaign,  repeat- 
edly pointed  out  by  Congress,  w^as  a  source  of  ex- 
treme mortification ;  but  he  indulged  the  hope  of 
success  in  some  military  operations  during  the  win- 
ter,  that  would  correspond  w  ith  the  high  expectar 


60  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776, 

tions  of  his  country,  and  procure  him  honour  in  his 
exalted  station  of  Commander  in  Chief"  of  the  Amer- 
ican armies.  In  his  reply  to  the  President  of  Con- 
Jax.  6,  gress,  on  the  reception  of  the  resolution, 
1776.  authorizing  an  attack  on  the  fortified  posts 
in  Boston,  he  observed,  "  The  resolution  relative  to 
the  troops  in  Boston,  I  beg  the  favour  of  you,  Sir,  to 
assure  Congress,  shall  be  attempted  to  tje  put  in  ex- 
ecution the  first  moment  I  see  a  probability  of  suc- 
cess, and  in  such  a  way  as  a  Council  of  officers  shall 
think  most  likely  to  produce  it  ;  but  if  this  should 
not  happen  as  soon  as  you  may  expect,  or  my  wishes 
prompt  to,  I  request  that  Congress  will  be  pleased 
to  revert  to  my  situation,  and  do  me  the  justice  to 
believe  that  circumstances,  and  not  want  of  in- 
clination, are  the  cause  of  delay.  ^' 

Early  in  January,  he  accordingly  summoned  a 
Council  of  war,  at  which  Mr.  John  Adams,  then  a 
Member  of  Congress,  and  Mr.  James  Warren, 
President  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Massachu- 
setts, were  present ;  in  which  it  was  resolved, 
*'  That  a  vigorous  attempt  ought  to  be  made  on 
the  ministerial  troops  in  Boston,  before  they  can  be 
reinforced  in  the  Spring,  if  the  means  can  be  pro- 
vided, and  a  favourable  opportunity  shall  ofi'er."  It 
was  also  advised,  *'  That  thirteen  regiments  of  mil- 
itia should  be  asked  for,  from  Massachusetts  and  the 
neighbouring  Colonies,  in  order  to  put  them  in  a 
condition  to  make  the  attempt.  The  militia  to  as- 
semble the  first  of  February,  and  to  continue,  if 
necessary,  until  the  first  of  March."  The  reinforce- 
ments thus  obtained,  amounted  to  between  four  an4 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINCTOIC.  61 

five  thousand  men  ;  but  thus  far  the  winter  proved 
unusually  mild,  and  the  waters  about  Boston  were 
not  frozen.  The  General,  in  his  official  communi- 
cation to  the  National  Legislature,  says,  "  Congress 
in  my  last,  would  discover  my  motives  for  strength- 
ening these  lines  with  the  militia  ;  but  whether,  as 
the  weather  turns  out  exceeding  mild,  insomuch 
as  to  promise  nothing  favourable  from  ice,  and  there 
is  no  appearance  of  powder,  1  shall  be  able  to  at- 
tempt any  thing  decisive,  time  only  can  determine. 
No  person  on  earth  wishes  more  earnestly  to  destroy 
the  nest  in  Boston  than  I  do  ;  no  person  would  be 
willing  to  go  greater  lengths  than  I  shall  to  accom- 
plish it,  if  it  shall  be  thought  adviseable  ;  but  if  we 
have  neither  powder  to  bombard  with,  nor  ice  to  pass 
on,  we  shall  be  in  no  better  situation  than  we  have 
been  in  all  the  year  :  We  shall  be  worse,  because 
their  works  are  strons'er," 

While  anxiously  waiting  to  embrace  any  favour- 
able opportunity  that  might  present  to  annoy  the  en- 
emy. General  Washington  seriously  meditated 
upon  the  importance  of  establishing  a  permanent 
iarmy.  His  experience  enabled  him  to  anticipate 
the  evils  that  must  ensue  at  the  expiration  of  the  peri- 
od for  which  the  present  troops  were  engaged,  and 
he  bent  the  whole  force  of  his  mind  to  induce  Con- 
gress seasonably  to  adopt  measures  to  prevent  them. 
In  a  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  dated  Feb- 
ruary 9,  he  entered  thus  fully  into  the  subject. 

"  The  disadvantages  attending  the  limited  inlist- 
jnent  of  troops,  are  too  apparent  to  those  W'ho  are 
py^  witnesses  of  them,  to  render  any  animadversions 


62  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  fl776. 

necessary  ;  but  to  gentlemen  at  a  distance,  whose 
attention  is  engrossed  by  a  thousand  important  ob- 
jects, the  case  may  be  otherwise. 

'*  That  this  cause  precipitated  the  fate  of  the  brave, 
and  much  to  be  lamented  Gen.  Montgomery >  and 
brought  on  the  defeat  which  followed  thereujjon, 
I  have  not  the  most  distant  doubt  :  For,  had  he  not 
been  apprehensive  of  the  troops  leaving  him  at  so  im- 
portant a  crisis,  but  continued  the  blockade  of  Que- 
beck,  a  capitulation,  (from  the  best  accounts  I  hav6 
been  able  to  collect)  must  inevitably  have  followed. 
And,  that  we  were  not  at  one  time  obliged  to  dispute 
these  lines,  under  disadvantageous  circumstances, 
(proceeding  from  the  same  cause,  to  w  it,  the  troops 
disbanding  themselves  before  the  militia  could  be 
got  in)  is  to  me  a  matter  of  wonder  and  astonish- 
ment ;  and  proves  that  General  Howe  \\  as  either  un- 
acquainted with  our  situation,  or  restrained  by  his 
instructions  from  putting  any  thing  to  a  hazard  till 
his  reinforcements  should  arrive. 

"  The  instance  of  General  Montgomery,  (I  men- 
tion it  because  it  is  a  striking  one  ;  for  a  number  of 
others  might  be  adduced)  proves,  that  instead  of 
having  men  to  take  advantage  of  circumstances,  you 
are  in  a  manner  compelled,  right  or  w  rong,  to  make 
circumstances  yield  to  a  secondary  consideration. 
Since  the  first  of  December,  I  have  been  devising 
every  means  in  my  power  to  secure  these  encamp- 
ments ;  and  though  I  am  sensible  that  we  never 
have,  since  that  period,  been  able  to  act  upon  the 
offensive,  and  at  times  not  in  a  condition  to  defend, 
yet  the  cost   of  marching   home  one  set  of  men, 


1776.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  63 

bringing  in  another,  the  havock  and  waste  occasioned 
by  the  first,  the  repairs  necessary  for  the  second, 
with  a  thousand  incidental  charges  and  inconven- 
iences which  have  arisen,  and  which  it  is  scarce  pos- 
sible to  recollect  or  describe,  amount  to  near  as 
much  as  the  keeping  up  a  respectable  body  of 
troops  the  whole  time,  ready  for  any  emergency, 
would  have  done.  To  this  may  be  added,  that  you 
never  can  have  a  well  disciplined  army. 

"  To  bring  men  well  acquainted  with  the  duties 
of  a  soldier,  requires  time.  To  bring  them  under 
proper  discipline  and  subordination,  not  only  re- 
quires time,  but  isa  work  of  great  difficulty  ;  and  in 
this  army,  where  there  is  solitde  distinction  between 
the  officers  and  soldiers,  requires  an  uncommon  de- 
gree of  attention.  To  expect  then,  the  same  service 
from  raw  and  undisciplined  recruits,  as  from  veteran 
soldiers,  is  to  expect  what  never  did,  and  perhaps 
never  will  happen.  Men  who  are  familiarized  to 
danger,  meet  it  without  shrinking ;  whereas,  those 
who  have  never  seen  service,  often  apprehend  danger 
where  no  danger  is.  Three  things  prompt  men  to  a 
regular  discharge  of  their  duty  in  time  of  action — - 
natural  bravery,  hope  of  reward,  and  fear  of  punish- 
ment. The  two  first  are  common  to  the  untutored  and 
the  disciplined  soldier  ;  but  the  latter  most  obviously 
distinguishes  the  one  froni  the  other.  A  coward, 
when  taught  to  believe,  that  if  he  break  his  ranks 
and  abandon  his  colours,  he  will  be  punished  ^ith 
death  by  his  own  party,  will  take  his  chance  against 
the  enemy  ;  but  a  man  who  thinks  little  of  the  one, 


64  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [l776i 

and  is  fearful  of  the  other,  acts  from  present  feelings, 
regardless  of  consequences. 

"  Again,  men  of  a  day's  standing  will  not  look 
forward  ;  and,  from  experience  we  find,  that  as  the 
time  approaches  for  their  discharge,  they  grow  care- 
less of  their  arms,  ammunition,  camp  utensils,  &.C. 
Nay,  even  the  barracks  themselves,  lay  us  under 
additional  expense  in  providing  for  every  fresh 
set,  when  we  find  it  next  to  impossible  to  pro- 
cure such  articles  as  are  absolutely  necessary  in 
the  first  instance.  To  this  may  be  added,  the  sea- 
soning which  new^  recruits  must  have  to  a  camp,  and 
the  loss  consequent  thereupon.  But  this  is  not  all : 
Men,  engaged  for  a  short,  limited  time  only,  have 
the  officers  too  much  in  their  power  :  For  to  obtain 
a  degree  of  popularity,  in  oider  to  induce  a  second 
inlistment,  a  kind  of  familiarity  takes  place,  which 
brings  on  a  relaxation  of  discipline,  unlicensed  fur- 
loughs, and  other  indulgences,  incompatible  with 
order  and  good  government ;  by  which  means,  the 
latter  part  of  the  time  for  w  hich  the  soldier  was  en- 
gaged, is  spent  in  undoing,  what  you  were  aiming 
to  inculcate  in  the  first. 

"  To  go  into  an  enumeration  of  all  the  evils  we 
have  experienced  in  this  late  great  change  of  the 
army,  and  the  expenses  incidental  to  it — to  say  noth- 
ing of  the  hazard  we  have  run,  and  must  run,  between 
the  discharging  of  one  army  and  the  inlistment  of  an- 
other, unless  an  enormous  expense  of  militia  be  in- 
curred— would  greatly  exceed  the  bounds  of  a  letter. 
What  I  have  already  taken  the  liberty  of  saying, 
will  serve  to  convey  a  general  idea  of  the  matter  ; 


1776.1  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  65 

rind  therefore  I  shall,  with  all  due  deference,  take  the 
liberty  to  give  it  as  my  opinion,  that  if  the  Congress 
have  any  reason  to  believe  that  there  will  be  occa- 
sion for  troops  another  year,  and  consequently  of 
another  inlistment,  they  would  save  money,  and 
have  infinitely  better  troops,  if  they  were,  even  at  a 
bounty  of  twenty,  thirty,  or  more  dollars,  to  engage 
the  men  already  inlisted,  till  January  next;  and  such 
others  as  may  be  wanted  to  complete  the  establish- 
ment, for,  and  during  the  war.  I  will  not  under, 
take  to  say,  that  the  men  can  be  had  upon  these 
terms  ;  but  I  am  satisfied  that  it  will  never  do  to  let 
the  matter  alone,  as  it  was  last  year,  till  the  time  of 
service  was  near  expiring.  The  hazard  is  too  great 
in  the  first  place  ;  in  the  next,  the  trouble  and  per- 
plexity of  disbanding  one  army,  and  raising  another 
at  the  same  instant,  and  in  such  a  critical  situation 
as  the  last  was,  is  scarcely  in  the  power  of  words  to 
describe,  and  such  as  no  man,  who  has  experienced 
it  once,  will  ever  undergo  again." 

Unhappily,  the  reasons  which  first  induced 
Congress  to  adopt  the  plan  of  short  inlistmcnts,  still 
had  influence  on  that  body,  and  on  many  of  the  gen- 
eral officers  of  the  army  ;  nor  were  they  convinced  of 
their  errour,  but  by  the  most  distressing  experience. 

^       , ,        The  ice  now  became  sufficiently  strongr, 
Feb.  14.  J  ^■> 

for  General  Washington  to  march  his 
forces  upon  it,  into  Boston  ;  and  he  was  himself  in- 
clined to  risk  a  general  assault  upon  the  British 
posts,  although  he  had  not  povvder  to  make  any 
extensive  use  of  his  artillery  ;  but  his  general  of- 
ficers in  Council  voted  against  the  attempt,  with 
m 


66  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON".  [1776, 

whose  decision  he  reluctantly  acquiesced.  In  his 
communication  of  their  opinion  to  Congress,  he  ob- 
served, "  Perhaps  the  irksomeness  of  my  situation 
may  have  given  different  ideas  to  me,  from  those 
which  influence  the  judgment  of  the  gentlemen 
whom  I  consulted,  and  might  have  inclined  me  to 
put  more  to  hazard  than  was  consistent  with  pru- 
dence. If  it  had  this  effect,  I  am  not  sensible  of  it, 
as  I  endeavoured  to  give  the  subject  all  the  consider- 
ation a  matter  of  such  importance  required.  True  it 
is,  and  I  cannot  help  acknowledging,  that  I  have  many 
disagreeable  sensations  on  account  of  my  situation  ; 
for,  to  have  the  eyes  of  the  whole  continent  fixed 
on  me,  with  anxious  expectation  of  hearing  of  some 
great  event,  and  to  be  restrained  in  every  military 
operation,  for  the  w  ant  of  the  necessary  means  to 
carry  it  on,  is  not  very  pleasing  ;  especially,  as  the 
means  used  to  conceal  my  weakness  from  the  ene- 
my, conceal  it  also  from  my  friends,  and  add  to 
their  wonder." 

By  the  last  of  February,  the  stock  of  powder  was 
considerably  increased,  and  the  regular  army  a- 
mounted  to  14,000  men,  AAhich  was  reinforced  by 
6,000  of  the  militia  of  Massachusetts.  General 
Washington  now  resolved  to  take  possession  of 
the  Heights  of  Dorchester,  in  the  prospect  that  this 
movement  would  bring  on  a  general  engagement 
with  the  enemy,  under  fa\'Ourable  circumstances ; 
or,  should  this  expectation  fail,  from  tliis  position  he 
would  be  enabled  to  annoy  the  ships  in  the  harbour, 
and  the  troops  in  the  town.  Possessing  these  heights, 
he  might  erect  works  upon  the  pointb  of  land  nearest 


1776.]  LIFE    ©F    WASHINGTON.  67 

to  the  southerly  part  of  Boston,  which  would  com- 
mand  the  harbour  and  a  great  part  of  the  town,  as 
well  as  the  beach  from  which  an  embarkation  must 
be  made,  in  case  the  enemy  was  disposed  to  evacu- 
ate the  place. 

To  mask  the  design,  a  severe  cannonade  and 
bombardment  were  opened  on  the  British  works 
and  lines,  for  several  nights  in  succession.  As  soon 
as  the  firing  began  on  the  night  of  the  4ih  of  March, 
a  strong  detachment  marched  from  Roxbury,  over 
the  neck,  and,  without  discovery,  took  possession  of 
the  heights.  General  Ward,  who  commanded  the 
division  of  the  army  in  Roxbury,  had,  fortunately, 
provided  fascines,  before  the  resolution  passed  to 
fortify  the  place  ;  these  were  of  great  use,  as  the 
ground  was  deeply  frozen ;  and,  in  the  course  of  the 
night,  the  party  by  great  exertions  erected  works 
that  defended  them  against  the  shot  of  the  enemy. 
On  the  next  morning,  the  British  manifested  sur^ 
prise  and  consternation  at  sight  of  the  American 
fortifications,  Mutual  firings  took  place,  but  with 
little  effect ;  and  the  Americans  laboured  indefatiga- 
bly  to  complete  their  works. 

On  the  contingence  of  an  attack  upon  Dorches- 
ter Heights,  by  a  strong  force,  it  had  been  resolved, 
that  four  thousand  of  the  American  troops,  in  boats, 
should  cross  Charles  river,  protected  by  three  float- 
ing batteries,  and  attempt  to  carry  the  British  posts 
in  Boston,  and  open  the  communication  by  the 
neck  to  the  American  forces  in  Roxbury. 

Admiral  Shuldham  informed  General  Hov\e, 
that  the  Americans  must  be  dislodged,  or  he  could 


68  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

not  remain  with  his  fleet  in  Boston  harbour.  In 
pursuance  of  this  intimation,  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
5ih,  a  detachment  consisting  of  three  thousand  men 
fell  down  to  Castle  Island,  now  Fort  Independence, 
a  position  which  would  facilitate  the  attack  on  the 
next  morning ;  but  a  violent  storm,  during  the 
night,  deranged  the  plan,  and  before  the  British 
were  again  in  readiness  to  make  the  attempt,  the 
American  works  became  too  formidable  to  be  as- 
saulted. 

General  Washington,  on  this  occasion,  in- 
dulged a  confident  expectation  of  the  success  of  his 
plans  ;  and  wished  the  meditated  attack  upon  Dor- 
chester to  be  made,  in  the  sanguine  hope,  that  the 
complete  conquest  of  the  British  troops  in  Boston 
would  be  its  ultimate  effect;  but  the  storm  frus- 
trated his  prospects. 

The  safety  of  the  British  fleet  and  army,  ren- 
dered the  evacuation  of  Boston  a  necessary  meas- 
ure ;  and  the  arrangements  of  the  enemy  for  this 
purpose,  were  soon  communicated  to  Gen.  Wash- 
ington. A  paper,  under  the  signature  of  four  of 
the  Selectmen,  was  sent  out  by  a  flag,  containing  a 
proposal,  purporting  to  be  made  by  General  Howe, 
that  on  condition  his  army  was  permitted  to  embark 
without  molestation,  the  town  should  be  left  without 
injury.  The  letter  was  directed  to  the  Commander 
in  Chief,  but  it  did  not  bear  the  signature  of  Gene- 
ral Howe,  nor  bind  him  to  the  observance  of  the 
condition.  General  Washington  did  not,  there- 
fore, officially  notice  it ;  but  he  directed  the  Ameri- 
can officer,  to  whom  it  was  delivered,  to  return  an 


1776.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  69 

answer  to  the  Selectmen,  informing  them  that  their 
letter  had  been  communicated  to  his  General,  and  as- 
signing the  reasons  why  it  had  not  been  officially 
noticed ;  but  both  the  commanders  appear  to  have 
tacitly  complied  with  the  conditions.  The  British 
army  was  not  annoyed  in  the  preparations  to  leave 
their  post,  nor  was  Nook's  point  fortified.  On  the 
17th,  the  town  was  evacuated,  and  left  in  a  better 
state  than  was  expected  ;  the  houses  were  not  dam- 
aged in  any  great  degree ;  but  the  British  left  few 
publick  stores  of  value. 

Although  Halifax  was  mentioned,  as  the  destin- 
ed place  of  the  British  armament,  yet  GeneralWASH- 
INGTON  apprehended  that  New  York  was  their 
object  :  On  this  supposition,  he  detached  several 
brigades  of  his  army  to  that  city,  before  the  evacua- 
tion of  Boston. 

General  Howe  remained  a  number  of  days  in 
Nantasket  Road,  and  the  Commander  in  Chief,  when 
he  entered  Boston,  as  a  measure  of  security,  fortified 
Fort  Hill. 

The  issue  of  the  campaign  was  highly  gratifying 
to  all  classes  ;  and  the  gratulations  of  his  fellow  cit- 
izens upon  the  repossession  of  the  metropolis  of 
Massachusetts,  was  more  pleasing  to  the  Commander 
in  Chief  than  would  have  been  the  honours  of  a 
triumph.  Congress,  to  express  the  publick  appro- 
bation of  the  military  achievements  of  their  General, 
resolved,  "That  the  thanks  of  Congress,  in  their  own 
name,  and  in  the  name  of  the  thirteen  United  Colo- 
nies, be  presented  to  his  Excellency  General  Wash- 
ington, and  the  officers  and  soldiers  under   his 


70  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

command,  for  their  wise  and  spirited  conduct  in  the 
siege  and  acquisition  of  Boston  ;  and  that  a  medal 
of  gold  be  struck,  in  commemoration  of  this  great 
event,  and  presented  to  his  Excellency." 

In  his  letter,  informing  Congress  that  he  had  ex- 
ecuted their  order,  and  communicatea  to  the  army 
the  vote  of  thanks,  he  observes,  "  They  were  indeed, 
at  fiist,  a  band  of  undisciplined  husbandmen,  but  it 
is,  under  God,  to  their  bravery  and  attention  to  their 
duty,  that  I  am  indebted  for  that  success  which  has 
procured  me  the  only  reward  1  wish  to  receive,  the 
affection  and  esteem  of  my  countrymen." 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  71 


CHAPTER    III. 


General  WASHiNCf  on  marches  the  Army  to  JVew  York....Forti' 

Jications  of  the  City  and  River. ...Independence  declared 

General  Hotve  lands  o?i  Staten  Island. ...Intemiew  between 
General  Washington  and  Colonel  Patterson. ...State  of  the 
British  and  American  Forces. ...Camp  at  Brooklyn. ...Battle 
en  Long  Island. ...Retreat  from  it. ...The  City  and  Island  of 
JVew  York  evacuated. ...3fana:in>res  at  White  Plains. ...Fort 
Washington  taken. ...General  Howe  invades  JVew  Jersey.... 
Depression  of  the  Atnericans... .General  Was hincTon  in- 
vested with  new  Powers.. ..Success  at  Trenton.,  and  at 
Princeton..., JVew  Jersey  recovered. 

1776.  x\S  soon  as  the  necessary  arrangements 
were  made  in  Boston,  in  the  persuasion  that  the 
Hudson  would  be  the  scene  of  the  next  campaign, 
General  Washington  marched  the  main  body  of 
his  army  to  New  York,  where  he  arrived  himself 
the  14th  of  April. 

The  situation  of  New  York  was  highly  favourable 
for  an  invading  army,  supported  by  a  superior  naval 
force.  The  Sound,  the  North  and  East  rivers,  open- 
ed a  direct  access  to  any  point  on  Long  Island, 
York  Island,  or  on  the  continent  bordering  upon 
these  waters.  To  the  effectual  defence  of  the  city, 
the  passage  up  the  rivers  must  be  obstructed  by 
forts  and  other  impediments  ;  and  an  army  was  nee- 


72  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

fessary,  of  force  sufficient  to  man  the  posts  and  lines 
of  defence,  and  to  meet  the  invviding  foe  in  the  field. 
Aware  of  these  facts,  General  Washington  doubt- 
ed the  practicability  of  a  successful  defence  of  New 
York.  But  the  importance  of  the  place,  and  the  diffi- 
culty which  he  had  already  experienced  in  dislodging 
an  army  from  a  fortified  town,  open  to  the  protec- 
tion and  supplies  of  a  fleet,  inclined  him  to  make  the 
attempt.  His  own  disposition  to  the  measure  was 
strengthened  by  the  wishes  of  Congress,  the  opinion 
of  his  general  officers,  and  by  the  expectation  of 
his  country.  The  resolution  being  formed,  he 
called  into  action,  all  the  resources  in  his  power, 
to  effect  it.  His  first  care  was  to  put  an  end  to 
the  intercourse,  which  to  this  time  had  been  con- 
tinned,  between  the  town  and  the  British  ships 
in  the  harbour,  by  which  they  were  supplied  with 
every  necessary ;  and  Tryon,  the  British  Govern- 
our,  enjoyed  the  most  favourable  opportunity  to 
concert  his  plans  with  the  numerous  disaffected  in- 
habitants of  the  city  and  its  vicinity  ;  and  by  the  aid 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  this  dangerous  commu- 
nication was  effectually  stopped.  The  General,  with 
unremitted  diligence,  pushed  on  his  works  of  de- 
fence. Hulks  were  sunk  in  the  North  and  East  riv- 
ers ;  forts  were  erected  on  the  most  commanding 
situations  on  their  banks ;  and  works  were  flung 
up  to  defend  the  narrow  passage  between  Long  and 
York  Islands. 

The  passes  in  the  High  Lands,  bordering  on  the 
Hudson,  became -an  object  of  early  and  solicitous 
attention.     The  command  of  this  river  was  equally 


1776.]  i^iFE  OF   Washington.  73 

important  to  the  American  and  the  British  General. 
By  its  possession,  the  Americans  easily  conveyed 
supplies  of  provision  and  ammunition  to  the  north- 
ern army,  and  secured  an  intercourse  between  the 
southern  and  northern  colonies,  an  intercourse  es- 
sential to  the  success  of  the  war.  In  the  hands  of 
the  British,  this  necessary  communication  was  inter- 
rupted, and  an  intercourse  between  the  Atlantic  and 
Canada  was  opened  to  them.  General  Washing- 
ton ordered  these  passes  to  be  fortified,  and  made 
their  security  an  object  of  primary  importance, 
through  every  period  of  his  command. 

In  these  defensive  preparations,  the  American 
army  incessantly  laboured  until  Lord  and  General 
Howe  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  with  the  British  fleet 
and  army.  In  the  near  prospect  of  active  warfare, 
the  mind  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  was  agitated 
by  innumerable  embarrassments.  He  found  himself 
destitute  of  the  means  to  give  his  country  the  protec- 
tion it  expected  from  him  ;  the  Colonies  had  not  fill- 
ed up  their  respective  regiments ;  his  force  had  been 
weakened  by  large  detachments  sent  to  reinforce  the 
army  in  Canada  ;  he  was  greatly  deficient  in  arms, 
tents,  clothing,  and  all  military  stores  ;  and  notwith- 
standing his  urgent  entreaties  on  this  subject,  such 
was  the  destitute  state  of  America,  that  Congress 
with  all  their  exertions  were  unable  to  supply  him. 
Two  thousand  men  in  camp,  w^re  at  this  time  with- 
out arms  ;  and  no  confidence  could  be  placed  in 
many  of  the  muskets,  which  were  in  the  hands  of 
the  soldiery.     In  this  weak  and  deficient  condition. 


74  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON*  fl776. 

General  Washington  was  to  oppose  a  powerful 
and  well  appointed  army,  and  to  guard  against  the 
intrigues  of  those  in  New  York  and  its  neighbour- 
hood, who  were  disaffected  to  the  American  cause  : 
These  were  numerous,  influential  and  enterprising. 
A  plan  was  laid  by  Governour  Try  on,  through  the 
agency  of  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  to  aid  the  enemy  in 
landing,  and  to  seize  the  person  of  General  Wash- 
ington. The  defection  reached  the  American  ar- 
my, and  even  some  of  the  General's  guard  engaged 
in  the  conspiracy  ;  but  it  was  seasonably  discov-  ^ 
ered,  and  a  number  of  those  concerned  in  it  were 
executed. 

The  permanent  troops  being  found  incompetent 
to  defend  the  country,  it  became  necessary  to  call  de- 
tachments of  the  militia  into  the  field  ;  and  Congress, 
placing  implicit  confidence  in  the  judgment  and 
patriotism  of  their  General,  invested  him  with  dis- 
cretionary powers,  to  call  on  the  go^'ernments  of  the 
neighbouring  Colonies,  for  such  numbers  as  circum- 
stances should  require  ;  and  they  empowered  him 
to  form  those  magazines  of  military  stores,  which 
he  might  deem  to  be  necessary.  In  pursuance  of 
the  measure  recommended  by  Congress,  a  requisi- 
tion was  made  for  thirteen  thousand  and  eight  hun- 
dred of  the  militia  from  Massachusetts,  Connecti- 
cut, New  York  and  New  Jersey. 

While  these  defensive  preparations  were  going 
forward  in  the  camp,  Congress  was  ripening  meas- 
ures to  declare  the  Colonies  independent  of  Great 
Britain.     The  free  exercise  of  their  constitutional 


1776.]  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  75 

rights  was  the  extent  of  the  American  claim  at  the 
commencement  of  the  controversy,  and  a  reconcilia- 
tion with  the  parent  state,  by  a  redress  of  grievan- 
ces,  was  the  ardent  desire  of  the  great  body  of  the 
American  people ;  but  the  operations  of  war  pro- 
duced other  feelings  and  views  :  A  general  aliena- 
tion of  affection  from  the  British  government  took 
place,  and  it  was  thought,  that  the  mutual  confi- 
dence of  the  two  countries  could  never  be  restored. 
In  the  common  apprehension,  it  became  an  absurdi- 
ty, that  one  country  should  maintain  authority  over 
another,  distant  from  it  three  thousand  miles  :  The 
restrictions  of  Great  Britain  upon  the  Colonial  trade, 
in  the  course  of  investigation,  appeared  as  a  heavy 
burden,  and  the  commerce  of  the  world  was  viewed 
as  a  high  reward  of  independence  :  Common  sense 
dictated,  that  the  ability  successfully  to  contend  for 
the  liberty  formerly  enjoyed  as  British  Colonies, 
strenuously  exerted,  would  secure  to  the  country 
the  more  honourable  and  permanent  blessings  of  an 
independent  and  sovereign  nation.  The  declaration 
of  independence  was  supposed  to  be  the  most  effect- 
ual means  to  secure  the  aid  of  foreign  powers  ;  be- 
cause the  great  kingdoms  of  Europe  would  be  dis- 
posed to  assist  the  efforts  of  the  Colonies  to  establish 
an  independent  government,  although  they  would  not 
interfere  with  their  struggles  to  regain  the  liberties 
of  British  subjects.  By  reasonings  of  this  nature, 
the  minds  of  the  American  people  were  ripened  to 
renounce  their  allegiance  to  Britain,  and  to  assume 
a  place  among  independent  nations  ;  and  the  repre- 


76  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON,  [1776. 

sentatives  of  most  of  the  Colonies,  were  instructed  to 
support  in  Congress  measures  for  this  important 
purpose. 

Early  in  June,  the  following  resolution  was  mov- 
ed in  Congress  by  Richard  Henry  Lee,  and  second- 
ed by  John  Adams,  "  Resolved  that  these  United 
Colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  in- 
dependent States ;  and  that  all  political  connexion 
between  them  and  the  state  of  Great  Britain  is,  and 
ought  to  be,  totally  dissolved."  This  resolution 
was  solemnly  debated  for  several  days,  and  finally 
passed  Congress,  in  the  affirmative,  by  the 
'    unanimous  suffrage  of  its  members. 

The  duties  of  the  field,  precluded  General 
Washington  from  a  primary  agency  in  this  impor- 
tant, national  measure  ;  but  it  met  his  full  approba- 
tion. On  the  reception  of  the  instrument,  he  wrote 
as  follows  to  the  President  of  Congress. 

"  I  perceive  that  Congress  have  been  employed 
in  deliberating  on  measures  of  the  most  important 
nature.  It  is  certain  that  it  is  not  with  us  to  deter- 
mine in  many  instances,  what  consequences  will 
flow  from  our  counsels  ;  but  yet  it  behoves  us  to 
adopt  such,  as,  under  the  smiles  of  a.  gracious  and 
all  kind  Providence,  will  be  most  likely  to  promote 
our  happiness.  I  trust  the  late  decisive  part  they 
have  taken,  is  calculated  for  that  end,  and  will  se- 
cure us  that  freedom,  and  those  privileges,  which 
have  been,  and  are,  refused  us,  contrary  to  the  voice 
of  nature,  and  the  British  Constitution.  Agreeable 
to  the  request  of  Congress,  I  caused  T/ie  Declara- 
don  to  be  proclaimed  before  all  the  army,  under  my 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  77 

immediate  command  ;  and  have  the  pleasure  to  in- 
form them,  that  the  measure  seemed  to  have  their 
most  hearty  consent ;  the  expressions  and  behaviour 
of  both  officers  and  men,  testifying  their  warmest 
approbation  of  it." 

General  Howe  had  sailed  from  Halifax  in  June, 
and  early  in  July  landed  his  army,  without  serious 
opposition,  on  Staten  Island  ;  and  on  the  twelfth  of 
that  month,  he  was  joined  by  Lord  Howe,  with  the 
reinforcements  for  the  army.  Lord  Howe  had 
been  appointed  to  command  the  naval  force  on  the 
American  station  ;  and  he  and  the  General  were  in- 
vested with  the  powers  of  Commissioners  to  treat 
with  individuals,  and  with  corporate  bodies  in  the 
Colonies,  upon  terms  of  reconciliation  with  Britain. 
Although  independence  was  already  declared,  yet 
they  were  anxious  to  commence  negotiation  ;  and 
though  unwilling  to  recognize  the  official  capacity 
of  Congress,  or  of  General  Washington,  yet  they 
desired  to  open  with  them  a  correspondence.  His 
Lordship  sent  a  letter  by  a  flag,  directed  to  "  George 
Washington,  Esq."  This  the  General  refused  to 
receive,  as  "  it  did  not  acknowledge  the  publick 
character,  with  which  he  was  invested  by  Congress, 
and  in  no  other  character  could  he  have  any  inter- 
course with  his  Lordship."  Congress,  by  a  formal 
resolution,  approved  the  dignified  conduct  of  their 
General,  and  directed,  "That  no  letter  or  message  be 
received  on  any  occasion  whatever  from  the  enemy, 
Ly  the  Commander  in  Chief,  or  others,  the  Com- 
manders of  the  American  army,  but  such  as  shall  be 
directed  to  them  in  the  character  they  respectively 
sustain." 


78  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

An  intercourse  between  the  British  commander, 
and  General  Washington,  was  greatly  desired 
for  political  reasons,  as  well  as  for  purposes  grow- 
ing out  of  the  war.  Not  yet  disposed  to  adopt  his 
military  address,  they  sent  Colonel  Patterson,  Ad- 
jutant General  of  the  British  army,  to  the  Ameri- 
can head  quarters,  with  a  letter  directed  to  "  George 
Washington,  &c.  he.  &c."  When  the  Colonel 
was  introduced  to  the  General,  he  addressed  him  by 
the  title  of  Excellency,  and  said,  "  that  General 
Howe  greatly  regretted  the  difficulty  that  had  arisen 
respecting  the  address  of  the  letter  ;  that  the  man- 
ner of  direction  had  been  common  with  Ambassa- 
dours  and  Plenipotentiaries,  in  cases  of  dispute  about 
rank  and  precedency  ;  that  General  Washington 
had  himself,  the  last  year,  directed  a  letter  in  the 
following  manner,  "The  Hon.  William  Howe  ;'* 
that  Lord  and  General  Howe  held  his  person  and 
character  in  the  highest  respect,  and  did  not  mean 
to  derogate  from  his  rank  ;  and,  that  the  et  ceteras 
implied  every  thing  which  ought  to  follow."  He 
then  laid  the  letter  which  had  been  before  sent,  on 
the  table. 

The  General,  declining  its  reception,  observed, 
"  that  a  letter,  directed  to  a  publick  character, 
should  have  an  address  descriptive  of  that  character, 
or  it  might  be  considered  as  a  private  letter.  It 
was  true  that  the  et  ceteras  implied  every  thing, 
they  also  implied  any  thing.  The  letter  alluded  to, 
v/as  in  answer  to  one  received  from  General  Howe, 
under  the  like  address,  which  being  received  by  the 
officer  on  duty,  he  did  not  think  proper  to  return  ; 


1776,]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  79 

and  therefore  answered  in  the  same  mode  of  address  ; 
and  tliat  he  should  absolutely  decline  any  letter  re- 
lating to  his  publick  station,  directed  to  him  as  a 
private  person." 

Colonel  Patterson  then  said,  that  General  Howe 
would  not  urge  his  delicacy  farther,  and  repeated 
his  assertion,  that  no  failure  of  respect  was  intended. 
Some  general  conversation  then  passed,  respecting 
the  treatment  of  prisoners,  when  the  Colonel  pro- 
ceeded to  observe,  that  the  goodness  of  the  King 
had  induced  him  to  appoint  Lord  and  General  Howe 
his  commissioners,  to  accommodate  the  dispute 
that  had  unhappily  arisen  ;  that  their  powers  were 
very  extensive,  and  they  would  be  highly  gratified 
in  effecting  the  accommodation  ;  and  he  wished  his 
visit  might  be  considered  as  the  introduction  to  ne- 
gotiation. 

GcTieral  Washington  replied,  that  Congress 
had  not  invested  him  with  powers  to  negotiate  ;  but 
he  would  observe,  that  from  what  had  transpired, 
it  appeared  that  Lord  and  General  Howe  were  only 
empowered  to  grant  pardons :  That  they  who  had 
committed  no  faults,  wanted  no  pardon  ;  and  that 
the  Americans  were  only  defending  what  they 
thought  their  indubitable  rights.  Colonel  Patter- 
son rejoined,  that  this  would  open  a  wide  field  of  ar- 
gument, and  after  expressing  his  fears,  that  an  ad- 
herence to  forms  might  obstruct  business  of  the 
greatest  moment,  took  his  leave.  The  highest 
courtesy  was  observed  in  this  conference  :  The  ad- 
dress of  Colonel  Patterson  was  manly  and  polished  ; 
the  American  General  fully  supported  the  dignity  of 


so  LITE    OF    WASHINGTOjr.  [1776» 

his  character  and  station  ;  and  the  scene  was  highly 
interesting  to  spectators. 

The  Commander  in  Chief  expected  no  salutary 
consequences  to  result  from  the  agency  of  the  Brit- 
ish commissioners.  He  apprehended,  that  their  at- 
tempts at  negotiation  were  calculated  only  to  divide 
and  weaken  the  continent ;  and  he  feared,  that  their 
measures  would  operate  to  relax  the  exertions  of  the 
United  States  to  meet  the  conflicts  of  the  field.  In 
a  private  letter  to  a  confidential  friend,  as  early  as 
May,  he  lamented  the  effects  of  this  nature,  which 
had  actually  been  produced.  "  Many  members  of 
Congress,"  he  wrote,  "  in  short  the  representatives  of 
whole  provinces,  are  still  feeding  themselves  on  the 
dainty  food  of  reconciliation ;  and  although  they 
will  not  allow  that  the  expectation  of  it  has  any  in- 
fluence on  their  judgments,  so  far  as  respects  pre- 
parations for  defence,  it  is  but  too  obvious  that  it  has 
an  operation  upon  every  part  of  their  conduct,  and  is 
a  clog  upon  all  their  proceedings.  It  is  not  in  the 
nature  of  things  to  be  otherw  ise  ;  for  no  man  who 
entertains  a  hope  of  seeing  this  dispute  speedily  and 
equitably  adjusted  by  commissioners,  will  go  to  the 
same  expense,  and  incur  the  same  hazards,  to  pre- 
pare for  the  worst  event,  that  he  will  who  believes 
that  he  must  conquer  or  submit  unconditionally, 
and  take  the  consequences,  such  as  confiscation  and 
hanging." 

General  Howe  commanded  a  force   of 

*  '  twenty  four  thousand  men,  u  ell  disciplin- 
ed, and  abundantly  supplied  with  every  thing  ne- 
cessary to  take  the  field  j  he  daily  expected  to  be 


i776.]  Ll^E    OF     WASHINGTON.  81 

i-einforccd  by  a  second  detachment  of  Geimaft 
troops  ;  and  he  was  supported  by  a  fleet  judiciously 
fitted  to  its  destined  service.  To  oppose  this  form= 
idable  enemy,  General  Washington  had  under 
his  direction  seventeen  thousand  two  hundred  and 
twenty  five  men  ;  of  these  three  thousand  six  hun- 
dred and  sixty  eight  were  in  the  hospitah  His  ef- 
fective force  was  disposed  in  New  York,  on  Long 
and  Governour's  Islands,  and  at  Paulus  Hook  ;  and 
he  informed  Congress,  that  in  case  of  an  attack,  he 
could  promise  himself  only  the  addition  of  one  small 
battalion.  Some  of  the  posts  occupied  by  the  army 
were  fifteen  miles  distant  from  others,  and  navigable 
waters  intervened.  "  These  things,"  observed  the 
General,  "  are  melancholy,  but  they  are  neverthe- 
less true.  I  hope  for  better.  Under  every  disad- 
vantage, my  utmost  exertions  shall  be  employed, 
to  bring  about  the  great  end  we  have  in  view  ;  and 
so  far  as  I  can  judge  from  the  professions  and  appar- 
ent disposition  of  mytroopsy  I  shall  have  their  sup- 
port; The  superiority  of  the  enemy,  and  the  ex- 
pected attack  do  not  seem  to  have  depressed  their 
spirits.  These  considerations  lead  me  to  think,  that 
though  the  appeal  may  not  terminate  so  happily  as  I 
could  wish,  yet  the  enemy  will  not  succeed  in  their 
views  without  considerable  loss.  Any  advantage 
they  may  gain,  will,  I  trust,  cost  them  dear." 

Before  serious  hostilities  commenced,  the  Amer- 
ican army  was  reinforced  by  several  regiments  of 
permanent  troops,  and  by  detachments  of  militiaj 
which  made  the  whole  number  amount  to  twenty 
eeven  thousand ;  but  the  men  were  not  accustomed 
u 


82  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

to  the  life  of  the  camp  ;  they  were  much  exposed 
from  the  want  of  tents,  and  one  quarter  of  the  whole 
army  were  taken  from  duty  by  sickness. 

While  waiting  the  tardy  movements  of  the  en- 
emy, General  Washington,  apprised  of  the  im- 
pressions that  would  be  made  by  the  event  of  the 
first  encounter,  exerted  himself  to  the  utmost  to 
bring  his  inexperienced  troops  under  subordination, 
and  to  excite  in  them  military  ardour,  without  which 
he  could  have  no  hope  of  successful  warfare.  In 
general  orders,  he  called  upon  officers  to  be  cool  in 
action,  and  upon  the  soldiery  to  be  obedient  to  or- 
der^, and  to  be  firm  and  courageous.  He  directed, 
that  any  soldier,  who  deserted  his  ranks  in  time  of 
batde,  should  be  immediately  shot  down.  He  de- 
sired commanders -of  corps  to  report  to  him  every 
instance  of  distinguished  bravery  in  the  soldiery, 
with  promise  of  honourary  reward.  He  endeavour- 
ed, by  the  love  of  liberty,  of  country  and  of  posterity, 
to  animate  his  army  to  do  their  duty.  I  "  The  time," 
he  observed,  "is  now  at  hand,  which  must  proba- 
bly determine  whether  Americans  are  to  be  free 
m.en  or  slaves  ;  whether  they  are  to  have  any  proper- 
ty they  can  call  their  own;  whether  their  houses 
and  farms  are  to  be  pillaged  and  destroyed,  and 
themselves  consigned  to  a  state  of  wretchedness, 
from  which  no  human  efforts  will  deliver  them. 
The  fate  of  unborn  millions  will  now  depend,  under 
God,  on  the  courage  and  conduct  of  this  army.  Our 
cruel  and  unrelenting  enemy  leaves  us  only  the 
choice  of  a  brave  resistance,  or  the  most  abject  sub- 
mission.    We  have  to  resolve  to  conquer,  or  to  die. 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  ^5 

Our  own,  our  country's  honour  call  upon  us  for  a 
vigorous  and  manly  exertion ;  and  if  we  now  shame-, 
fully  fail,  we  shall  become  infamous  to  the  whole 
world.  Let  us  then  rely  on  the  goodness  of  our 
cause,  and  on  the  aid  of  the  Supreme  Being,  in 
whose  hand  victory  is,  to  animate  and  encourage  us 
to  great  and  noble  actions.  The  eyes  of  all  our 
countrymen  are  now  upon  us,  and  we  shall  have 
their  blessing  and  praises,  if  happily  wc  are  the  in- 
struments of  saving  them  from  the  tyranny  meditat- 
ed against  them.  Let  us  therefore  animate  and  en- 
courage each  other,  and  show  the  whole  world,  that 
a  freeman,  contending  for  liberty  on  his  own  ground, 
is  superiour to  any  slavish  mercenary  on  earth."] 

In  the  communication  to  his  army  of 
'   the  success   of   the  Americans  at    Fort 
Moultrie  near  Charleston,   he  thus  laboured  to  ex- 
cite them  to  emulate  the  bravery  of  their  country- 
men in  South  Carolina. 

"  This  glorious  example  of  our  troops,  under 
the  like  circumstances  with  ourselves,  the  General 
hopes,  will  animate  every  officer  and  soldier  to  imi- 
tate, and  even  to  out  do  them,  when  the  enemy  shall 
make  the  same  attempt  on  us.  With  such  a  bright 
example  before  us,  of  what  can  be  done  by  brave 
men,  fighting  in  defence  of  their  country,  we  shall 
be  loaded  with  a  double  share  of  shame  and  infamy, 
if  we  do  not  acquit  ourseh^es  with  courage,  and 
manifest  a  determined  resolution  to  conquer  or  die. 
With  the  hope  and  confidence  that  this  army  will 
have  an  equal  share  of  honour  and  success,  the  Gen- 
eral most  earnestly  exhorts  every  officer  and  soldier 


§4  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

to  pay  the  utmost  attention  to  his  arms  and  health  ; 
to  have  the  former  in  the  best  order  for  action,  and 
by  cleanliness  and  care  to  preserve  the  latter  ;  to  be 
exact  in  their  discipline,  obedient  to  their  superi- 
ours,  and  vigilant  on  duty.  With  such  prepara- 
tions, and  a  suitable  spirit,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
but,  by  the  blessing  of  heaven,  we  shall  repel  our 
cruel  invaders,  preserve  our  country,  and  gain  the 
greatest  honour." 

In  the  immediate  view  of  the  arduous  conflict, 
the  General  once  more  endeavoured  to  inspire  his 
army  with  the  heroism  necessary  successfully  to 
sustain  it. 

"  The  enemy's  whole  reinforcement  is  now  ar- 
rived," said  he,  •*  so  that  an  attack  must,  and  soon 
will  be  made.  The  General  therefore  again  Repeats 
his  earnest  request,  that  every  officer  and  soldier  will 
have  his  arms  and  ammunition  in  good  order  ;  keep 
within  his  quarters  and  encampment,  as  much  as 
possible ;  be  ready  for  action  at  a  moment's  call ; 
and  when  called  to  it,  remember,  that  liberty,  pro- 
perty, life  and  honour  are  all  at  stake  ;  that  upon  their 
courage  and  conduct,  rest  the  hopes  of  their  bleed- 
ing and  insulted  country  ;  that  their  wives,  children 
and  parents  expect  safety  from  them  alone  ;  and 
that  we  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  heaven 
will  crown  with  success  so  just  a  cause. 

"  The  enemy  will  endeavour  to  intimidate  by 
show  and  appearance  ;  but  remember,  they  have 
been  repulsed  on  various  occasions,  by  a  few  brave 
Americans.  Their  cause  is  bad  ;  their  men  are  con- 
scious of  it ;  and  if  opposed  with  firmness  and  cppl- 


1776.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  85 

ness  on  their  first  onset,  with  our  advantage  of 
works,  and  knowledge  of  the  ground,  the  victory 
most  assuredly  is  ours.  Every  good  soldier  will 
be  silent  and  attentive,  wait  for  orders,  and  reserve 
his  fire  until  he  is  sure  of  doing  execution  ;  of  this 
the  officers  are  to  be  particularly  careful." 

The  possession  of  Long  Island  is  essential  to 
the  defence  of  New  York.  It  had  been  determined 
in  a  Council  of  war,  to  fortify  a  camp  at  Brooklyn, 
fronting:  New  York  ;  and  stretching  across  that  end 
Qf  Long  Island,  from  East  river  to  Gowan's  cove. 
The  rear  of  this  encampment  was  defended  by  bat- 
teries on  Red  Hook  and  Governour's  Island,  and 
by  works  on  East  River,  which  secured  the  commu- 
nication with  the  city.  In  front  of  the  encampment, 
ran  n  range  of  hills  from  east  to  west  across  the 
island.  These  were  covered  with  wood,  and  were 
steep,  but  could  any  where  be  ascended  by  infantry. 
Over  this  range  were  three  passes,  leading  by  three 
roads,  to  Brooklyn  ferry. 

A  strong  detachment  of  the  American  army  was 
posted  on  Long  Island,  under  the  command  of  Gen- 
eral Green,  who  made  himself  intimately  acquainted 
with  the  passes  on  the  hills  ;  but  unfortunately  be- 
coming sick,  General  Sullivan  succeeded  him  in 
this  command  only  a  few  days  before  active  opera- 
tions commenced.  The  main  body  of  the  Ameri- 
can army  remained  on  York  Island.  A  flying  camp, 
composed  of  militia,  was  formed  at  Amboy,  to  pre- 
vent the  depredations  of  the  enemy  in  New  Jersey  ; 
^nd  a  force  was  stationed  near  New  Rochelle,  and  at 


86  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

East  and  West  Chester  on  the  Sound,  to  check  the 
progress  of  the  enemy,  should  they  attempt  to  land 
above  King's  bridge,  and  inclose  the  Americans  on 
York  Island.  The  head  quarters  of  General  Wash- 
ington were  in  the  city,  but  he  was  daily  over  at 
Brooklyn  to  inspect  the  state  of  that  camp,  and  to 
make  the  best  arrangements  circumstances  would 
admit.  *" 

An  immediate  attack  being  expected  on  Long 
Island,  General  Sullivan  was  remforced,  and  directed 
carefully  to  watch  the  passes. 

On  the  26th  the  main  body  of  the  British  troops, 
with  a  large  detachment  of  Germans,  landed  under 
cover  of  the  ships,  on  the  south  western  extremity 
of  Long  Island.  A  regiment  of  militia  stationed 
on  the  coast,  retreated  before  them  to  the  heights, 
A  large  reinforcement  was  sent  to  the  camp  at 
Brooklyn,  and  the  command  of  the  post  given  to 
General  Putnam,  who  was  particularly  charged  to 
guard  the  woods,  and  to  hold  himself  constantly  pre- 
pared to  meet  the  assault  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  same  day,  the  British,  in  three  divisions, 
took  post  upon  the  south  skirt  of  the  wood ;  Gen- 
eral Grant  upon  their  left,  near  the  coast ;  the  Ger- 
man  General  de  Heister  in  the  centre  at  Flatbush  ; 
and  General  Clinton  upon  their  right  at  Flatland. 
The  range  of  hills  only  now  separated  the  two  armies, 
and  the  different  posts  of  the  British  were  distant 
from  the  American  camp,  from*  four  to  six  miles. 
Upon  their  left,  a  road  to  Brooklyn  lay  along  the 
coast  by  Gowan's  cove,  before  General  Grant's  di- 
vision.    From  Flatbush  a  direct  road  ran  to  the  A- 


1776.]  lilFE    br    WASHINGTON.  87 

merican  camp,  in  which  the  Germans  might  pro- 
ceed. General  CHnton  might  either  unite  with  the 
Germans,  or  take  a  more  eastern  route,  and  fall  into 
the  Jamaica  road  by  the  way  of  Bedford.  These 
three  roads  unite  near  Brooklyn.  On  the  pass  at 
Flatbush,  the  Americans  had  fiung  up  a  small  re- 
doubt, mounted  it  with  artillery,  and  manned  it  with 
a  body  of  troops.  Major  General  Sullivan  con- 
tinued to  command  on  the  heights. 

In  the  evening,  General  Clinton,  with- 
•  out  beat  of  drum,  marched  with  the  in- 
fantry of  his  division,  a  party  of  light  horse,  and 
fourteen  field  pieces,  to  gain  the  defile  on  the  Jamai- 
ca road.  A  few  hours  before  day,  he  surprised  an 
American  party  stationed  here  to  give  the  alarm  of 
an  approaching  enemy,  and  undiscovered,  seized 
the  pass.  At  day  light  he  passed  the  heights,  and 
descended  into  the  plain  on  the  side  of  Brooklyn. 
Early  in  the  morning.  General  de  Heister,  at  Flat- 
bush,  and  General  Grant  upon  the  west  coast,  open- 
ed a  cannonade  upon  the  American  troops,  and  be- 
gan to  ascend  the  hill ;  but  they  moved  very  slowly, 
as  their  object  was  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  A- 
mcrican  commander  from  his  left,  and  give  Gene- 
ral Clinton  opportunity  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  Amer. 
ican  troops  stationed  on  the  heights.  General  Put- 
nam, in  the  apprehension  that  the  serious  attack 
would  be  made  by  de  Heister  and  Grant,  sent  de- 
tachments to  reinforce  General  Sullivan  and  Lord. 
Sterling  at  the  defiles,  through  v,  hich  those  divisions 
of  the  enemy  were  approaching.  V/hen  General 
Clinton  had  passed  the  left  flank  of  the  Americans, 


^9  LIFE  OF  Washington.  [1776^ 

about  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  27th,  de 
Heister  and  Grant  vigorously  ascended  the  hill ;  the 
troops  which  opposed  them,  bravely  maintained  their 
ground,  until  they  learned  their  perilous  situation 
from  the  British  columns,  which  were  gaining  their 
rear. 

As  soon  as  the  American  left  discovered  the 
progress  of  General  Clinton,  they  attempted  to  re- 
turn to  the  camp  at  Brooklyn  ;  but  their  flight  was 
stopped  by  the  front  of  the  British  column.  In  the 
mean  time,  the  Germans  pushed  forward  from  Flat- 
bush,  and  the  troops  in  the  American  centre,  under 
the  immediate  command  of  General  Sullivan,  hav- 
ing also  discovered,  that  their  flank  was  turned,  and 
that  the  enemy  was  gaining  their  rear,  in  haste  re- 
treated towards  Brooklyn.  Clinton's  columns  con- 
tinuing to  advance,  intercepted  them,  they  were  at-i 
tacked  in  front  and  rear,  and  alternately  driven  by 
the  British  on  the  Germans,  and  by  the  Germans 
on  the  British.  Desperate  as  their  situation  was, 
some  regiments  broke  through  the  enemy's  lines^ 
and  regained  the  fortified  camp  ;  but  most  of  the 
detachments  upon  the  American  left  and  centre  were 
either  killed  or  taken  prisoners. 

The  detachment,  on  the  American  right,  under 
Lord  Sterling,  behaved  well,  and  maintained  a  se-^ 
vere  conflict  with  General  Grant  for  six  hours,  un- 
til the  van  of  General  Clinton's  division,  having 
crossed  the  whole  island,  gained  their  rear.  ,  Lord 
Sterling  perceived  his  danger,  and  found,  that  his 
troops  could  be  saved  only  by  an  immediate  retreat 
over  a  creek  near  the  cove.    He  gave  orders  to  this 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHlNGTOi^*  §9 

purpose ;  and,  to  facilitate  their  execution,  he  in 
person  attacked  Lord  Cornvvallis,  who,  by  this  time 
having  gained  the  coast,  had  posted  a  small  corps 
in  an  house,  just  above  the  place  where  the  Ameri- 
can troops  must  pass  the  creek.  The  attack  was 
bravel}'  made  with  four  hundred  men,  who,  in  the 
opinion  of  their  commander,  were  upon  the  point, 
of  dislodging  Cornwallis  ;  but  his  Lordship  being 
reinforced  from  his  own  column,  and  General  Grant 
attacking  Lord  Sterling  in  the  rear,  this  brave  band 
was  overpowered  by  numbers,  and  those  who  sur- 
vived were  impelled  to  surrender  themselves  prison- 
ers of  war ;  but  this  spirited  assault  gave  opportu- 
nity for  a  large  proportion  of  the  detachment  to 
escape. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  on  this  occasion, 
for  the  number  engaged,  was  great ;  General  Wash- 
in  g  ton  stated  it  at  a  thousand  men  ;  but  his  re- 
turns probably  included  only  the  regular  regiments. 
General  HowCj  in  an  official  letter,  made  the  prison- 
ers to  amount  to  one  thousand  and  ninety  seven. 
Among  these  were  Major  General  Sullivan,  and 
Brigadier  Generals  Sterling  and  Woodhul.  The 
amount  of  the  killed  was  never  with  precision  as^ 
certained.  Numbers  were  supposed  to  have  been 
drowned  in  the  creek,  and  some  to  have  perished  in 
the  mud  on  the  marsh.  The  British  loss  acknowl- 
edged by  General  Howe,  was  twenty  one  officers, 
and  three  hundred  and  forty  six  privates  killed^ 
woufided,  and  taken. 

General  Washington  passed  over  to  Brook- 
lyn in  the  heat  of  the  action  ;  but  unable  to  rescue 

N 


90  *  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

his  men  from  their  perilous  situation,  was  constrain- 
ed to  be  the  inactive  spectator  of  the  slaughter  of 
his  best  troops. 

At  the  close  of  the  day,  the  British  approached 
in  front  of  the  American  works,  and  it  has  been  said, 
that  the  troops,  in  their  ardour,  exhibited  a  strong 
inclination  to  storm  the  lines  ;  but  General  Howe, 
remembering  Bunker  Hill,  prudently  restrained  them 
from  the  assault. 

Determining  to  carry  the  American  works  by 
regular  approaches,  the  British  commander  broke 
ground,  on  the  night  of  the  28th,  within  six  hun- 
dred yards  of  a  redoubt. 

General  Washington  was  fully  sensible  of  the 
danger  that  awaited  him.  The  success  of  the  ene- 
my by  regular  approaches  was  certain.  His  troops 
were  without  tents,  and  had  already  suffered  ex- 
tremely by  heavy  rains.  The  movements  of  tlie 
British  fleet  indicated  an  intention  to  force  a  passage 
into  the  East  river,  and  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the 
troops  to  the  city.  Should  they  accomplish  this, 
the  situation  of  the  army  on  Long  Island  would  be 
desperate.  An  immediate  retreat  to  the  city  was 
therefore  thought  expedient.  The  measure  was 
happily  accomplished,  on  the  night  of  the  29th, 
with  all  the  stores,  and  military  apparatus,  ex- 
cept a  few  pieces  of  heavy  artillery,  which  the  soft- 
ness of  the  ground  rendered  it  impossible  to  move. 
This  important  retreat  was  made  with  so  much 
silence  and  address,  that  the  enemy  did  not  perceive 
it,  altliough  so  near,  that  the  noise  of  their  intrench- 
ing tools  was  distinctly  heard  by  the  Americans. 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  91 

A  heavy  fog  hung  over  Long  Island  until  late  in 
the  morning  of  the  30th,  which  hid  the  movements 
of  the  American  army  from  General  Howe.  When 
it  cleared,  the  rear  guard  was  seen  crossing  East 
river,  out  of  reach  of  the  British  fire.  The  General 
in  person  inspected  the  details  of  this  critical  retreat ; 
and  for  the  forty  eight  hours,  which  preceded  its 
completion,  in  his  own  language,  he  was  "hardly 
off  his  horse,  and  never  closed  his  eyes."  He  did 
not  leave  the  island,  before  the  co\ering  party 
inarched  from  the  lines. 

The  attempt  to  defend  Long  Island  has  by  ma- 
ny been  considered,  as  an  errour  in  the  military  op- 
erations of  the  American  General.  But  before  his 
judgment,  in  this  instance,  is  condemned,  the  rea- 
sons which  led  to  it  ought  to  be  weighed.  Its  pos- 
session was  highly  important  to  either  army  ;  its  sit- 
uation rendered  its  defence,  in  a  good  degree,  proba- 
ble ;  the  range  of  hills  was  favourable  to  the  obstruc- 
tion of  an  invading  enemy  ;  and  a  fortified  camp  in 
the  rear  opening  a  communication  with  the  city, 
and  supported  by  batteries  on  Governour's  Island 
and  the  East  river,  rendered  a  retreat  practicable, 
v/hen  circumstances  should  make  it  necessary. 
There  was  then  a  fair  prospect  of  defending  the  isl- 
and ;  at  least  of  detaining  the  enemy  so  long  in  the 
effort  to  gain  possession  of  it,  as  to  waste  the  cam- 
paign in  the  contention.  The  disastrous  conse- 
quences of  this  measure,  are  not  to  be  attributed  to 
any  defect  in  the  original  plan,  but  to  the  neglect 
of  the  commanding  officer  on  the  island  in  guard- 
ing the  pass  on  the  road  from  Jamaica  to  Bedford. 


92  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

Unfortunately  this  officer  was  changed  at  the  time, 
when  hostilities  were  about  to  commence  ;  and  the 
General,  who  directed  the  disposition  of  the  troops 
on  the  day  of  the  action,  was  imperfectly  acquainted 
with  the  passes  in  the  mountains.  General  Wash- 
ington, by  written  instructions,  directed  this  offi- 
cer "  Particularly  to  guard  the  defiles  in  the  woods, 
and  to  render  the  approach  of  the  enemy  through 
them  as  difficult  as  possible."  This  order  was  not 
fully  executed.  It  appears,  that  General  Sullivan 
was  not  apprised  of  the  march  of  the  British  de- 
tachment from  Flatbush  to  Flatland,  on  the  evening 
of  the  26th,  and  a  guard  on  the  Jamaica  road  did  not 
seasonably  discover  the  approach  of  the  enemy  to 
give  information.  General  Howe,  in  his  official  let- 
ter, mentioned,  that  an  American  patroling  party 
was  taken  on  this  road  ;  and  General  W a shington 
in  a  letter  to  a  friend  wrote,  "  This  misfortune  hap- 
pened in  a  great  measure,  by  two  detachments  of  our 
people,  who  were  posted  in  two  roads  leading  through 
a  wood  to  intercept  the  enemy  in  their  march,  suffer- 
ing a  surprise,  and  making  a  precipitate  retreat." 

It  should  also  be  recollected,  that  the  plans  of 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  were  laid  in  the  expecta- 
tion of  a  much  larger  force,  than  in  event  he  real- 
ized. The  regiments  were  not  completed  ;  and  he 
was  absolutely  destitute  of  cavalry.  There  W'as 
not  a  single  company  of  horse  on  Long  Island  to 
watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,and  give  information 
of  their  movements.  This  furnishes  some  apology 
for  the  ignorance  of  the  commanding  officer,  res- 
pecting the  manoeuvre  of  the  enemy. 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  93 

The  defeat  of  the  27th  made  a  most  unfavoura- 
ble impression  upon  the  army.  A  great  proportion 
of  the  troops  lost  their  confidence  in  their  officers, 
and  in  themselves.  Before  this  unfortunate  event, 
they  met  the  enemy  in  the  spirit  of  freemen,  fight- 
ing for  their  highest  interests,  and  under  the  persua- 
sion, that  their  thorough  use  of  arms,  rendered  them 
equal  to  the  disciplined  battalions  which  they  were 
to  oppose.  But,  on  this  occasion,  by  evolutions, 
which  they  did  not  comprehend,  they  found  them- 
selves encompassed  vvith  difficulties,  from  which 
their  utmost  exertions  could  not  extricate,  and  in- 
volved in  dangers,  from  which  their  bravery  could 
not  deliver  them  ;  and  entertaining  an  high  opin- 
ion of  the  adroitness  of  the  enemy,  in  every  move- 
ment, they  apprehended  a  fatal  snare. 

These  melancholy  facts  were  thus  narrated  by 
General  Washington,  in  his  letter  to  Congress. 
*'  Our  situation  is  truly  distressing.  The  check 
our  detachment  sustained  on  the  27th  ultimo,  has 
dispirited  too  great  a  proportion  of  our  troops,  and 
filled  their  minds  with  apprehension  and  despair. 
The  militia,  instead  of  calling  forth  their  utmost 
effiDrts  to  a  brave  and  manly  opposition,  in  order  to 
repair  our  losses,  are  dismayed,  intractable  and  im- 
patient to  return.  Great  numbers  of  them  have 
gone  of.... in  some  instances,  almost  by  whole  regi- 
ments, by  half  ones,  and  by  companies  at  a  time. 
This  circumstance,  of  itself,  independent  of  others, 
when  fronted  by  a  well  appointed  enemy,  superiour 
in  number  to  our  whole  collected  force,  would  be 
sufficiently  disagreeable  :    But  when  their  example 


S>i  LIFE     or    WASHINGTON.  []1776^. 

has  infected  another  part  of  the  army  ;  when  their 
want  of  discipline,  and  refusal  of  almost  every  kind 
of  restraint  and  government,  have  produced  a  like 
conduct,  but  too  common  to  the  whole,  and  an  en- 
tire disregard  of  that  order  and  subordination  neces- 
sary to  the  well  doing  of  an  army,  and  which  had 
been  inculcated  before,  as  well  as  the  nature  of  our 
military  establishment  would  admit  of,  our  condi- 
tion is  still  more  alarming ;  and  with  the  deepest 
concern  I  am  obliged  to  confess  my  want  of  confi- 
dence in  the  generafity  of  the  troops." 

The  British  General  being  in  possession  of 
Long  Island,  prepared  to  attack  New  York.  The 
body  of  the  fleet  lay  at  anchor  near  Governour's  Isl- 
and ;  but  particular  ships  passed  up  the  East  river, 
without  sustaining  injury  from  the  American  bat- 
teries ;  others,  sailing  round  Long  Island  into  the 
Sound,  passed  up  to  the  higher  part  of  York  Island. 
By  these  movements,  the  situation  of  the  American 
army  became  critical.  It  was  uncertain  whether  the 
attack  would  be  made  upon  the  lines,  or,  whether 
General  Howe  would  land  his  troops  above  King's 
bridge,  and  inclose  the  Americans.  To  guard  a- 
gainst  the  danger  which  threatened  him,  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  ordered  the  stores,  that  were  not 
of  present  necessity,  to  be  removed  above  King's 
bridge,  and  assembled  a  Council  to  deter- 
•  mine  upon  the  expediency  of  retreating 
from  the  city.  The  majority  of  his  general  officers 
voted  against  the  immediate  evacuation  of  New 
York.  The  plan  recommended  was  to  station  the 
army  in  the  best  manner,  to  defend  the  points  men- 


1776.]  LIFI     OF    WASHINGTON.  95 

aced  with  attack,  that  the  enemy  might  waste  the 
residue  of  the  season  in  the  struggle  to  possess  the 
island.  The  belief  that  Congress  desired  that  New 
York  should  be  maintained  to  extremity,  probably 
had  influence  on  this  Council.  In  communicating 
the  adopted  plan  to  that  body,  General  Washing- 
ton clearly  indicated  an  opinion,  that  an  immedi- 
ate evacuation  of  New  York  was  expedient.  Speak- 
ing of  the  enemy,  he  observed, 

**  It  is  now  extremely  obvious,  from  all  intelli- 
gence, from  their  movements,  and  every  other  cir- 
cumstance, that  leaving  landed  their  Vvhole  army  on 
Long  Island,  (except  about  four  thousand  on  Staten 
Island)  they  mean  to  inclose  us  on  the  Island  of 
New  York,  by  taking  post  in  our  rear,  while  the 
shipping  effectually  secure  the  front  ;  and  thus, 
either  by  cutting  off  our  communication  with  the 
country,  oblige  us  to  fight  them  on  their  own  terms, 
or  surrender  at  discretion,  or,  by  a  brilliant  stroke, 
endeavour  to  cut  this  army  in  pieces,  and  secure  the 
collection  of  arms  and  stores,  which  they  well  know 
we  shall  not  be  able  soon  to  replace. 

*'  Having,  therefore,  their  system  unfolded  to  us, 
it  became  an  important  consideration,  how  it  would 
be  most  successfully  opposed.  On  every  side  there 
is  a  choice  of  difiiculties  ;  and  every  measure,  on 
our  part  (however  painful  the  reflection  be  from  ex- 
perience) to  be  formed  with  some  apprehension  that 
all  our  troops  will  not  do  their  duty.  In  deliberating 
on  this  great  question,  it  was  impossible  to  forget, 
that  history,  our  own  experience,  the  advice  of  our 
ablest  friends  in  Europe,  the  fears  of  the  enemy,  and 


96  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1*776* 

even  the  declarations  of  Congress,  demonstrate,  that 
on  our  side,  the  war  should  be  defensive.... (it  has 
ever  been  called  a  war  of  posts).... that  we.  should 
on  all  occasions  avoid  a  general  action,  nor  put  any 
thing  to  the  risk,  unless  compelled  by  a  necessity 
into  which  we  ought  never  to  be  drawn. 

*'  It  was  concluded  to  arrange  the  army  under 
three  divisions  ;  five  thousand  to  remain  for  the 
defence  of  the  city  ;  nine  thousand  to  King's  bridge 
and  its  dependences,  as  well  to  possess  and  secure 
those  posts,  as  to  be  ready  to  attack  the  enemy  who 
are  moving  eastward  on  Long  Island,  if  they  should 
attempt  to  land  on  this  side  ;  the  remainder  to  occu- 
py the  intermediate  space,  and  support  either  ;  that 
the  sick  should  be  immediately  removed  to  Orange- 
town,  and  barracks  prepared  at  King's  bridge  with 
all  possible  expedition  to  cover  the  troops. 

"  There  were  some  general  officers,  in  whose 
judgment  and  opinion,  much  confidence  is  to  be 
reposed,  that  were  for  a  total  and  immediate  remov- 
al from  the  city,  urging  the  great  danger  of  one  part, 
of  the  army  being  cut  off  before  the  other  can  sup. 
port  it,  the  extremities  being  at  least  sixteen  miles 
apart  ;  that  our  army,  when  collected,  is  inferiour 
to  the  enemy ;  that  they  can  move  with  their  whole 
force  to  any  point  of  attack,  and  consequently  must 
succeed  by  weight  of  numbers,  if  they  have  only  a 
part  to  oppose  them ;  that,  by  removing  from  hence, 
we  deprive  the  enemy  of  the  advantage  of  their  ships, 
which  will  make  at  least  one  half  of  the  force  to  at- 
tack the  town  ;  that  we  should  keep  the  enemy  at 
bay,  put  wothing  to  the  hazard,   but  at  all  events. 


1776J  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  97 

keep  the  army  together,  which  may  be  recruited 
another  year  ;  that  the  unspent  stores  will  also  be 
preserved ;  and,  in  this  case,  tlic  heavy  artillery  can 
also  be  secured." 

In  the  full  expectation  that  a  retreat  from  York. 
Island  would  soon  become  necessary,  the  General 
assiduously  continued  tlie  removal  of  the  stores  and 
heavy  baggage  to  a  place  of  safety. 

The  General  officers  became  alarmed 

*    at  the  danger  of  the  army,  and,  in  a  second 

Council,  determined  to  remove  it  from  New  York. 

On  the  fourteenth,  several  ships  passed  up  th<i 
East  river,  and  large  bodies  of  troops  were  moved 
to  Montezore's  Island  with  the  apparent  intention 
to  land,  either  upon  the  continent  above  King's 
bridge,  and  wholly  to  inclose  the  Americans,  or 
upon  the  plains  of  Haerlem  on  York  Island,  to  break 
the  line  of  communication  betw^een  the  different  di- 
visions of  their  army,  and  attack  them  in  situations, 
in  which  they  would  be  unable  to  support  each  oth- 
er. The  next  morning  General  Clinton  landed  un- 
der cover  of  five  men  of  war,  with  four  thousand 
men,  three  miles  above  the  city  of  New  York. 

The  American  lines  at  this  place  were 
'^^^^'  *  capable  of  defence,  but  the  men  posted  in 
them,  on  the  firing  of  the  ships,  without  waiting  for 
the  attack  of  the  enemy,  abandoned  them.  As  soon  as 
the  cannonading  began,  two  brigades  were  detached 
from  the  main  body  to  support  the  troops  in  the  breast 
works,  the  fugitives  communicated  to  them  their 
panick,and  General  Washington,  in  riding  to  the 
scene  of  action,  met  his  troops  retreating  in  the  ut- 
o 


98  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.        [1776. 

most  confusion,  disregarding  the  efforts  of  their 
Generals  to  stop  them.  While  the  Commander  in 
Chief  was,  with  some  effect,  exerting  himself  to  ral- 
ly them,  a  very  small  body  of  the  enemy  appeared 
in  sight,  on  which  the  men  again  broke,  and  a  most 
dastardly  route  ensued.  At  this  unfortunate  mo- 
ment, and  only  at  this  moment  through  his  whole 
life,  General  Washington  appears  to  have  lost  his 
fortitude.  All  the  shameful  and  disastrous  conse- 
quences of  the  defection  of  his  army,  rushed  upon 
his  mind,  and  bore  down  his  spirits.  In  a  paroxism 
of  despair,  he  turned  his  horse  towards  the  enemy, 
seemingly  with  the  intention  to  avoid  the  disgrace 
of  the  day  by  the  sacrifice  of  his  life  :  His  aids  seiz- 
ed the  horse's  bridle,  and,  with  friendly  violence, 
rescued  him  from  the  destruction,  that  awaited  him. 

In  consequence  of  the  failure  of  the  troops  upon 
the  lines,  the  evacuation  of  New  York  was  necessa- 
rily made  in  haste.  It  was  happily  accomplished 
with  the  loss  of  very  few  men ;  but  most  of  the 
heavy  artillery,  many  of  the  tents,  and  a  great  part 
of  the  stores,  which  had  not  been  previously  remov- 
ed, were  unavoidably  left  behind. 

The  American  army  having  been  driven  from 
New  Yoik,  the  British  General  stationed  a  detach- 
ment to  guard  the  city  ;  and  posted  his  main  army 
in  front  of  the  American  lines  on  the  north  end 
of  York  Island.  Their  right  extended  to  the  East, 
and  their  left  to  the  North  river ;  and  both  their 
flanks  were  covered  by  ships  of  war.  The  Island 
at  Bloomingdale,  the  place  of  the  British  encamp- 
iftent,  is  two  miles  wide. 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  99 

The  strongest  post  of  the  Americans  wns  at 
King's  bridge,  ^^hich  secured  their  communication 
with  the  country.  M'Gowan's  pass,  and  Morn's 
heights  were  also  rendered  defensible  ;  and  within  a 
mile  and  an  half  of  the  enemy,  a  detachment  was 
posted  in  a  fortified  camp,  on  the  heights  of  Hacrlem. 

The  Commander  in  Chief  was  pleased  with  this 
disposition  of  his  army  ;  he  thought  it  must  lead 
to  those  frequent  skirmishes,  which  would  insen- 
sibly wear  off  the  depression  occasioned  by  the 
late  defeat,  and  restore  to  his  men  confidence  in 
themselves.  He  indulged  the  hope  that  by  these 
services,  the  discipline  would  be  introduced  into  the 
army,  absolutely  necessary  to  successful  war,  when 
every  individual  does  his  appropriate  duty,  confiding 
for  his  security  in  the  skill  of  his  General,  and  in 
the  united  efforts  of  his  fellow  soldiers. 

The  very  day  after  the  retreat  from  the 
^^^'  '  city,  a  party  of  the  enemy  appeared  in  the 
plain  between  the  two  hostile  camps.  The  Gene- 
ral rode  to  the  outpost  to  embrace  the  opportunity 
to  attack  them.  .Lieutenant  Colonel  Knowlton,  of 
Connecticut,  a  brave  officer,  who  had  been  skirmish- 
ing with  the  party,  stated  their  number  at  three  hun- 
dred. The  General  detached  Colonel  Knowlton 
and  Major  Leitch,  of  Virginia,  to  gain  their  rear, 
while  he  occupied  their  attention  by  movements  in- 
dicating a  design  to  attack  them  in  front.  Colonel 
Knowlton  and  Major  Leitch,  after  leading  tl.eir  corps 
jnto  action  in  a  most  soldier  like  manner,  Mere  both 
30on  brought  off  the  field  mortally  wounded  ;  yet 
the  men  under  their  Captains,  bravely  continued  the 


100  LIFK    OF    WASHINGtON.  C^^T^* 

attack,  and  drove  an  enemy,  superiour  in  numbers, 
from  their  position.  The  Americans  had  fifty  men 
killed  and  wounded,  and  the  British  twice  that  num- 
ber. 

This  skirmish,  trifling  in  itself,  was  improved  to 
valuable  purposes.  The  Commander  in  Chief  in 
general  orders,  applauded  the  bravery  of  officers  and 
men  ;  contrasted  it  with  the  cowardly  behaviour 
of  the  troops  the  day  before  ;  called  upon  the  ^^'hole 
army  to  emulate  this  honourable  example  ;  and  from 
the  issue  of  this  conflict,  pointed  out  what  brave  men 
might  effect,  when  lighting  in  the  best  of  causes. 
The  parole  next  day  was  Leitch.  In  filling  the  va- 
cancy occasioned  by  the  death  of  the  Colonel,  the 
General  mentioned,  that  the  officer  succeeded  "the 
gallant  and  brave  Colonel  Knowlton,  who  would 
have  been  an  honour  to  any  country,  and  who  had 
fallen  gloriously  fighting  at  his  post."  The  success 
of  this  rencounter  had  a  general  effect  upon  the  spir- 
its of  the  army. 

In  addition  to  the  arduous  duties  of  this  cam- 
paign, which  were  sufficient  to  enjploy  the  time,  and 
test  the  talents  of  the  greatest  military  character  ;  the 
state  of  the  army  furnished  a  weighty  subject  of  at- 
tention to  Gen.  Washington.  He  dwelt  upon  the 
gloomy  prospects  of  the  succeeding  winter.  The 
clothing  of  the  men  was  suited  only  to  the  warm  sea- 
son, and  their  time  of  inlistment  expired  with  the 
year.  The  consequent  distresses  in  all  their  mag- 
nitude, rose  to  his  mind,  and  in  the  following  letter, 
he  endeavoured  to  impress  Congress  with  a  lively 
sense  of  the  situation  of  the  army  j  and  to  call  forth 


177<5.]  LTFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  101 

their  highest  endeavours  to  arrest  the  approaching 
evils. 

"  From  the  hours  rMotted  to  sleep,  I  will  boiTovv 
a  few  moments  to  convey  my  thoughts,  on  sundry  ^ 
important  matters,  to  Congress.  I  shall  ofi'er  them 
with  the  sincerity  wliich  ought  to  characterize  a 
man  of  candour  ;  and  with  the  freedom  which  may 
be  used  in  giving  useful  information,  without  incur- 
ring the  imputation  of  presumption. 

"  We  are  now,  as  it  were,  upon  the  eve  of  anoth- 
er  dissolution  of  our  army.  The  remembrance  of 
the  difficulties  which  happened  upon  that  occasion 
last  year  ;  the  consequences  whicli  might  have  fol- 
lowed the  change,  if  proper  advantage  had  been 
taken  by  the  enemy  ;  added  to  a  knowledge  of  the 
present  temper  and  situation  ofthe  troops,  reflect  but 
a  very  gloomy  prospect  upon  the  appearance  of 
things  now,  and  satisfy  me,  beyond  the  possi'.^ility 
of  doubt,  that  unless  some  speedy  and  effectual 
measures  are  adopted  by  Congress,  our  cause  will 
be  lost. 

*'  It  is  in  vain  to  expect  that  any,  or  more  than  a 
trifling  part,  of  this  army  will  engage  again  in  the 
service,  on  the  encouragement  offered  by  Congress. 
When  men  find  that  their  townsmen  and  compan- 
ions are  receiving  tvv^enty,  thirty,  and  more  dollars, 
for  a  few  months'  service  (which  is  truly  the  case) 
this  cannot  be  expected  without  using  compulsion  ; 
and  to  force  them  into  the  service  would  answer  no 
valuable  purpose.  When  men  are  irritated,  and 
their  passions  inflamed,  they  fly  hastily  and  cheerful- 
ly to  arms  ;  but  after  the  first  emotions  are  over,  to 


102  liri    OF    WASHINOTO'N.  [177C. 

expect  among  such  people  as  compose  the  bulk  of  an 
army,  that  they  are  influenced  by  any  other  princi- 
ples than  those  of  interest,  is  to  look  for  what  never 
did,  and  I  fear  never  w  ill  happen  ;  the  Congress  will 
deceive  themselves,  therefore,  if  they  expect  it. 

*'  A  soldier,  reasoned  with  upon  the  goodness  of 
the  cause  he  is  engaged  in,   and  the  inestimable 
rights  he  is  contending  for,  hears  you  with  patience, 
and  acknowledges  the  truth  of  your  observations  ; 
but  adds,   that  it  is  of  no  more  consequence  to  him 
than  to  others.     The  officer  makes  you  the  same  re- 
ply, with  this  further  remark,  that  his  pa}^  will  not 
support  him,  and  he  cannot  ruin  himself  and  family 
to  serve  his  country,  when  every  member   in  the 
community  is  equally  benefitted  and  interested  by 
his   labours.      The  few,  therefore,   who  act  upon 
principles  of  disinterestedness,  are,   comparatively 
speaking,  no  more  than  a  drop  in  the  ocean.     It  be- 
comes evidently  clear  then,  that,  as  this  contest  is 
not  likely  to  be  the  work  of  a  day  ;  as  the  war  must 
be  carried  on  systematically,  and  to  do  it  you  must 
have  good  officers  ;  there  is,  in  my  judgment,  no 
other  possible  means  to  obtain  them,  but  by  estab- 
lishing your  army  upon  a  permanent  footing,  and 
giving  your  officers  good  pay ;  this  will  induce  gen- 
tlemen, and  men  of  character  to  engage,  and  until 
the  bulk  of  your  officers  are  composed  of  such  per- 
sons as  are  actuated   by  principles  of  honour  and 
a  spirit  of  enterprize,  you  have  little  to  expect  from 
them.     They  ought  to  have  such  allowances,  as  will 
enable  them  to  live  like,  and  support  the  characters  of 
gentlemen  ;  and  not  to  be  driven  by  a  scanty  pittance 


1776.]  LIFB    OF    WASHINGTON.  103 

to  the  low  and  dirty  arts,  which  many  of  them  prac- 
tice, to  filch  the  publick  of  more  than  the  difference 
of  pay  would  amount  to,  upon  an  ample  allowance. 
Besides,  something  is  due  to  the  man,  who  puts 
his  life  in  your  hands,  hazards  his  health,  and  for- 
sakes the  sweets  of  domestick  enjoyments.     Why  a 
captain   in  the  continental  service  should  receive  no 
more  than  five  shillings  currency  per  day,    for  per- , 
forming  the  same  duties  that  an  officer  of  the  same 
rank  in  the  British  service  receives  ten  shillings  ster- 
ling for,  I  never  could  conceive  ;    especially  when 
the  latter  is  provided  with  every  thing  necessary  he 
requires  upon  the  best  terms,  and  the  former  can 
scarcely  procure  them  at  any  rate.      There  is  noth- 
ing that  gives  a  man  consequence,  and  renders  him 
fit  for  command,  like  a  support  that  renders  him  in- 
dependent of  every  body  but  the  state  he  serves. 

"  With  respect  to  the  men,  nothing  but  a  good 
bounty  can  obtain  them  upon  a  permanent  establish- 
ment, and  for  no  shorter  time  than  the  continuance 
of  the  war,  ought  they  to  be  engaged  ;  as  facts  in- 
contestibly  prove,  that  the  difficulty  and  cost  of  in- 
listments  increase  with  time.  When  the  army  was 
first  raised  at  Cambridge,  I  am  persuaded  the  men 
might  have  been  got  without  a  bounty  for  the  war ; 
after  that,  they  began  to  see  that  the  contest  was  not 
likely  to  end  so  speedily  as  was  imagined,  and  to 
feel  their  consequence  by  remarking,  that  to  get 
their  militia  in,  in  the  course  of  last  year,  many 
towns  were  induced  to  give  them  a  bounty.  Fore- 
seeing the  evils  resulting  from   this,  and  the  dc 


104  LIFE    OF     WASHIhfGTON.  [1776, 

Struct! ve  consequences  which  would  unavoidably  fol- 
low short  inlistments,  I  took  the  liberty  in  a  long 
letter,  to  recommend  the  inlistments  for  and  during 
the  war,  assigning  such  reasons  for  it,  aj  experience 
has  smce  convinced  me  were  well  founded.  At 
that  time,  twent}-  dollars  \iould,  I  am  persuaded, 
have  engaged  the  men  for  this  term  :  But  it  w  ill  not 
do  to  look  back,  and  if  the  present  opportunity  be 
slipped,  I  am  persuaded  that  twelve  months  more 
will  increase  our  difficulties  four  fold.  1  shall  there- 
fore take  the  liberty  of  giving  it  as  my  opinion,  that 
a  good  bounty  be  immediately  offered,  aided  by  the 
proffer  of  at  least  a  hundred,  or  a  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  of  land,  and  a  suit  of  clothes,  ard  a  blanket  to 
each  non  commissioned  officer  and  soldier,  as  I  have 
good  authority  for  saying,  that  hov/ever  high  the 
men's  pay  may  appear,  it  is  barely  sufficient,  in  the 
present  scarcity  and  dearncss  of  all  kinds  of  goods, 
to  keep  them  in  clothes,  much  less  to  afford  support 
to  their  families.  If  this  encouragement  then  be 
given  to  the  men,  and  such  pay  allowed  to  the  offi- 
cers, as  will  induce  gentlemen  of  liberal  character 
and  liberal  sentiments  to  engage,  and  proper  care  and 
caution  be  used  in  the  nomination  (having  more  re- 
gard to  the  character  of  persons,  than  the  number  of 
men  they  can  inlist)  we  should  in  a  little  time  have 
an  army  able  to  cope  with  any  that  can  be  opposed  to 
it,  as  there  are  excellent  materials  to  form  one  out  of; 
but  while  the  only  merit  an  officer  possesses  is  his 
ability  to  raise  men  ;  while  those  men  consider  and 
treat  him  as  an  equal,  and  in  the  character  of  an  of- 
ficer, regard  him  no  more  than  a  broomstick,  being 


1*776.]  LIFE    0?    WASHINGTON.  105 

mixed  together  as  one  common  herd  ;  no  order  not 
discipline  can  prevail,  nor  will  tl;e  officer  ever  meet 
with  that  respect  which  is  essentially  necessary  to 
due  subordination. 

*'  To  place  any  dependence  upon  militia,  is  as- 
suredly resting  upon  a  broken  staff.  Men  just  drag- 
ged from  the  tender  scenes  of  domesiick  life ;  un- 
eccustomed  to  the  din  of  arms;  totally  unacquainted 
with  every  kind  of  military  skill;  which,  beii  g  fol- 
lowed by  a  want  of  confidence  in  themselves,  \i  hen 
opposed  to  troops  regularly  trained,  disciplined  and 
appointed,  superiour  in  knowledge,  and  supcriour 
in  arms,  makes  them  timid  and  ready  to  fiy  from 
their  own  shadows.  Besides,  the  sudden  change  in 
their  manner  of  living,  particularly  in  their  lodging, 
brings  on  sickness  in  many,  impatience  in  all ;  and 
such  an  unconquerable  desire  of  returning  to  their 
respective  homes,  that  it  not  only  produces  shameful 
and  scandalous  desertions  among  themselves,  but 
infuses  the  like  spirit  in  others.  Again,  men  ac- 
customed to  unbounded  freedom,  and  no  controul, 
cannot  brook  the  restraint  which  is  indispensably- 
necessary  to  the  good  order  and  government  of  an 
army  ;  without  which,  licentiousness  and  every  kind 
of  disorder  triumphantly  reign.  To  bring  men  to  a 
proper  degree  of  subordination,  is  not  the  work  of  a 
day,  a  month,  or  a  year  ;  and  unhappily  for  us,  and 
the  cause  we  are  engaged  in,  the  little  discipline  I 
have  been  labouring  to  establish  in  the  army  under 
my  immediate  command,  is  in  a  manner  done  away 
by  having  such  a  mixture  of  troops,  as  have  been 
called  together  within  these  few  months. 

P 


106  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

*'  Relaxed  and  unfit  as  our  rules  and  regulations 
of  war  are  for  the  govtrnnient  of  an  army,  the  militia, 
(those  properly  so  called,forof  these  we  have  two  sorts, 
the  six  months  men,  and  those  sent  in  as  a  tempora- 
rary  aid)  do  not  think  themselves  subject  to  them, 
and  therefore  take  liberties  which  the  soldier  is  pun- 
ished for.  This  creates  jealousy,  jealousy  begets 
dissatisfaction,  and  these  by  degrees  ripen  into  mu- 
tiny ;  keeping  the  v\  hole  army  in  a  confused  and  dis- 
ordered stale;  rendering  the  time  of  tho«;e,  who 
wish  to  see  regularity  and  good  order  pre  v.  il,  more 
unhappy  than  words  can  describe ;  besides  this, 
such  repeated  changes  take  place,  that  all  arrange- 
ment is  set  at  nought ;  and  the  constant  fluctuation 
of  things  deranges  every  plan,  as  fast  as  it  is  adopted. 

"  These,  sir,  Congress  may  be  assured  are  but  a 
small  part  of  the  inconveniences  which  might  be 
enumerated  and  attributed  to  militia  :  But  there  is 
one  which  merits  particular  attention,  and  that  is  the 
expense.  Certain  I  am,  that  it  would  be  cheaper 
to  keep  fifty,  or  an  hundred  thousand  men  in  con- 
stant pay,  than  to  depend  upon  half  the  number,  and 
supply  the  other  half  occasionally  by  militia.  The 
time  the  latter  is  in  pay,  before  and  after  they  are  in 
camp,  assembling  and  marching,  the  waste  of  ammu- 
nition ;  the  consumption  of  stores  which,  in  spite 
of  every  resolution  and  requisition  of  Congress,  they 
must  be  furnished  with,  or  sent  home  ;  added  to 
other  incidental  expenses  consequent  upon  their 
coming,  and  conduct  in  camp,  surpass  all  idea  ; 
and  destroy  every  kind  of  regularity  and  economy, 
which  you  could  establish  among  fixed  and  settled 


1776.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  107 

troops;  and  will,  in  my  opinion  prove  (if  the  same 
be  adhered  to)  the  ruin  of  our  cause. 

'*  The  jealousies  of  a  standing  army,  and  the 
evils  to  be  apprehended  from  one,  are  remote  ;  and 
in  my  judgment,  situated  and  circumstanced  as  we 
are,  not  at  all  to  be  dreaded  ;  but  the  consequence 
of  wanting  one,  according  to  my  ideas,  formed  up- 
on the  present  view  of  things,  is  certain  and  inevita- 
ble ruin  ;  for  if  I  were  called  upon  to  declare  upon 
oath,  whether  the  militia  have  been  more  serviceable 
or  hurtful  on  the  whole,  I  should  subscribe  to  the 
latter.  I  do  not  mean  by  this,  however,  to  arraign 
the  conduct  of  Congress  ;  in  so  doing,  I  should 
equally  condemn  my  own  measures,  if  not  my  judg- 
ment ;  but  experience  which  is  the  best  criterion 
to  work  by,  so  fully,  clearly  and  decisively,  repro- 
bates the  practice  of  trusting  to  militia,  that  no  man 
who  regards  order,  regularity,  and  economy,  or  who 
has  any  regard  for  his  own  honour,  character,  or 
peace  of  mind,  will  risk  them  upon  militia." 

"  Before  I  knew  of  the  late  resolutions  of  Con- 
gress, which  you  did  me  the  honour  to  inclose  in 
your  letter  of  the  24th,  and  before  I  was  favoured 
with  the  visit  of  your  committee,  I  took  the  liberty 
of  giving  you  my  sentiments  en  several  points  which 
seemed  to  be  of  importance. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  the  committee  will 
make  such  report  of  the  state  and  condition  of  the 
army  as  will  induce  Congress  to  believe  that  nothing 
but  the  most  vigourous  exertions  can  put  matters 
upon  such  a  footing,  as  to  give  this  continent  a  fair 


108  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

prospect  of  success.  Give  me  leave  to  say,  sir,  I 
say  it  with  due  deference  and  respect,  (and  my 
knowledge  of  the  facts,  added  to  the  importance  of 
the  cause,  and  the  stake  I  hold  in  it,  must  justify  the 
freedom)  that  your  affairs  are  in  a  more  unpropitious 
way  than  you  seem  to  apprehend. 

"  Your  army,  as  mentioned  in  my  last,  is  upon 
the  eve  of  its  political  dissolution.  True  it  is,  you 
have  voted  a  larger  one  in  lieu  of  it  ;  but  the  season 
is  late,  and  there  is  a  material  difference  between 
voting  battalions  and  raising  men.  In  the  latter  there 
are  more  difficulties  than  Congress  seem  aware  of, 
which  makes  it  my  duty  (as  I  have  been  informed 
of  the  prevailing  sentiments  of  this  army)  to  inform 
them,  that,  unless  the  pay  of  the  officers,  (especially 
that  of  the  field  officers)  be  raised, the  chief  part  ofthose 
that  are  worth  retaining  will  leave  the  service  at  the 
expiration  of  the  present  term;  as  the  soldiers  will  also, 
if  some  greater  encouragement  be  not  offered  them, 
than  twenty  dollars,  and  one  hundred  acres  of  land. 

"  Nothing  less,  in  my  opinion,  than  a  suit  of 
clothes  annually  given  to  each  non  commissioned  of- 
ficer and  soldier,  in  addition  to  the  pay  and  bounty, 
will  avail  ;  and  I  question  whether  that  will  do,  as 
the  enemy  from  the  information  of  one  John  Marsh, 
who  J  with  six  others,  was  taken  by  our  guards,  are 
giving  ten  pounds  bounty  for  recruits,  and  have  got 
a  battallion  under  Major  Rodgers,  nearly  completed 
upon  Long  Island. 

*'  Nor  will  less  pay,  according  to  my  judgment, 
than  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  mentioning  in  the  en- 
closed estimate,  retain  such  officers  as  we  could  wish 


1776.]  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON".  109 

to  hive  continued  ;  the  difference  per  month  in  each 
battalion  ^\ould  amount  to  better  than  one  hundred 
pounds  ;  to  this  may  be  added  the  pay  of  the  staff  of- 
ficers ;  for  it  is  presumable  they  will  also  require  an 
augmentation,  but  being  few  in  number,  the  sum 
will  not  be  greatly  increased  by  them,  and  conse- 
quently is  a  matter  of  no  great  moment  ;  but  it  is 
a  matter  of  no  small  importance  to  make  the  several 
ofBces  desirable.  When  the  pay  and  establishment 
of  an  officer  once  become  objects  of  interested  atten- 
tion, the  sloth,  negligence,  and  even  disobedience  of 
orders,  which  at  this  time  but  too  generally  prevail, 
will  be  purged  off.  But  while  the  service  is  viewed 
with  indifference  ;  while  the  officer  conceives  that 
he  is  rather  conferring  than  receiving  an  obligation  ; 
there  will  be  a  total  relaxation  of  all  order  and  disci- 
pline, and  every  thing  will  move  heavily  on,  to  the 
great  detriment  of  the  service,  and  inexpressible 
trouble  and  vexation  to  the  General. 

*'  The  critical  situation  of  our  affairs  at  this  time 
will  justify  my  saying,  that  no  time  is  to  be  lost  in 
making  fruitless  experiments.  An  unavailing  trial 
of  a  month,  to  get  an  army,  upon  the  terms  propos- 
ed, may  render  it  impracticable  to  do  it  at  all,  and 
prove  fatal  to  our  cause,  as  1  am  not  sure  whether 
any  rubs  in  the  way  of  our  inlistments  or  unfavour- 
able turn  in  our  affairs,  may  not  prove  the  means  of 
the  enemy's  recruiting  men  faster  than  Vi  e  do.  To 
this  may  be  added  the  inextricable  difficulty  of  form- 
ing one  corps  out  of  another,  and  arranging  matters 
with  any  degree  of  order,  in  the  face  of  an  enemy 
who  are  watching  for  advantages. 


110  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

*•  At  Cainbridi^e  last  year,  where  the  officers 
(and  more  than  a  suiiiciency  of  them)  were  all  upon 
the  spot,  we  found  it  a  work  of  such  extreme  diffi- 
culty to  know  their  sentiments  (each  having  some 
terms  to  propose)  that  I  despaired,  once,  of  getting 
the  arrangement  completed,  and  do  suppose  that 
at  least  a  hundred  alterations  took  place  before  mat- 
ters were  finally  adjusted  ;  ^\hat  must  it  be  then  un- 
der the  present  regulation,  where  the  officer  is  to  ne- 
gotiate this  matter  with  the  state  he  comes  from, 
distant,  perhaps,  two  or  three  hundred  miles  ;  some 
of  whom,  without  any  licence  from  me,  set  out  to 
make  personal  apjilication,  the  moment  the  resolu.- 
tion  got  to  their  hands  ?  What  kind  of  officers  these 
are,  1  leave  Congress  to  judge. 

"  if  an  officer  of  reputation  (for  none  other  should 
be  applied  to)  be  asked  to  stay,  what  answer  can  he 
give  ?  But  in  the  first  place,  that  he  docs  not  know 
w  hether  it  be  at  his  o|)tion  to  do  so  ;  no  provision  be- 
ing made  in  the  resolution  of  Congress,  even  recom- 
mendatory,of  this  measure,  consequently,  that  it  rests 
with  the  state  he  comes  from,  (surrounded,  perhaps, 
with  a  variety  of  applications,  and  influenced  perhaps 
with  local  attachments)  to  determine  whether  he  can 
be  provided  for,  or  not.  In  the  next  place,  if  he  be  an 
officer  of  merit,  and  knows  that  the  state  he  comes 
from  is  to  furnish  more  battalions  than  it  at  present 
has  in  the  service,  he  will  scarcely,  after  two  years 
faithful  services,  think  of  continuing  in  the  rank  he 
now  bears,  when  new  creations  are  to  be  made  and 
men  appointed  to  offices  (no  ways  superiour  in  merit, 
and  ignorant  of  service  perhaps)  over  his  head. 


1776.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON,  111 

<'  A  Committee  sent  to  the  army  from  each  state 
may,  upon  the  spot,  fix  things  with  a  degree  of  pro- 
priety and  certainty,  and  is  the  only  method  1  can  see, 
of  bringing  measures  to  a  decision  wiih  respect  to  the 
officers  of  the  army ;  but  w  hat  can  be  done  in  the 
mean  time  towards  the  arrangement  in  the  country, 
I  know  not.  in  the  one  case,  you  run  the  ha z aid  of 
losing  your  officers  ;  in  the  other  of  encountering  de- 
lay ;  unless  some  method  could  be  devised  of  for- 
warding both  at  the  same  instant. 

"  Upon  the  present  plan,  I  plainly  foresee  an  in- 
tervention  of  time  between  the  old  and  new  army, 
which  must  be  filled  with  militia,  if  to  be  had,  with 
w horn  no  man,  w  ho  has  an}  regard  for  his  own  repu- 
tation, can  undertake  to  be  answerable  for  conse- 
quences. 1  shall  also  be  mistaken  in  my  conj' c- 
tures,  if  we  do  not  lose  the  most  valuable  officers  in 
this  army,  under  the  present  mode  of  appointing 
them ;  consequently,  if  we  have  an  army  at  all,  it 
w  ill  be  composed  of  materials  not  only  intirely  raw, 
but  if  uncommon  pains  be  not  taken,  intirely  unfit ; 
and  I  see  such  a  distrust  and  jealousy  of  militar}- 
power,  that  the  Commander  in  Chief,  has  not  an  op- 
portunity, even  by  recommendation,  to  give  the  least 
assurances  of  reward  for  the  most  essential  services. 

,"  In  a  word,  such  a  cloud  of  perplexing  cir- 
cumstances appears  before  me,  without  one  flattering- 
hope,  that  I  am  thoroughly  convinced,  unless  the 
most  vigorous  and  decisive  exertions  be  immediate- 
ly adopted  to  remedy  these  evils,  that  the  certain  and 
absolute  loss  of  our  liberties  w  ill  be  the  inevitable 
consequence ;  as  one  unhappy  stroke  will  throw  a 


112  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

powerful  weight  into  the  scale  against  us,  and  enable 
General  Howe  to  recruit  his  army  as  fast  as  we 
shall  ours  ;  numbers  being  disposed,  and  many  actu- 
ally doing  so  already.  Some  of  the  most  probable 
remedies,  and  such  as  experience  has  brought  to  my 
more  intimate  knowledge,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to 
point  out ;  the  rest  I  beg  leave  to  submit  to  the  con- 
sideration of  Consrress. 

o 

"  I  ask  pardon  for  taking  up  so  much  of  their 
time  with  my  opinions,  but  I  should  betray  that 
trust,  which  they  and  my  country  have  reposed  in 
me,  were  I  to  be  silent  upon  matters  so  extremely 
interesting." 

General  Howe  too  well  understood  the  duty  of  a 
commander  to  attempt  to  storm  the  strong  camp  of 
his  opponent.  He  adopted  the  plan  of  transporting 
his  army  above  King's  bridge  and  forming  an  en- 
campment from  the  North  river  along  the  rear  of 
General  Washington's  lines.  This  manoeuvre, 
he  expected,  would  either  occasion  the  American 
Commander  hastily  to  abandon  his  encampment,  or, 
oblige  him  to  hazard  a  general  engagement  under 
circumstances  which  w  ould  render  a  defeat  abso- 
lute ruin.  To  facilitate  this  design,  he  fortified 
M'Gowan's  hill  for  the  defence  of  the  city.  Three 
frigates  passed  up  the  North  river  without  injjary 
from  the  fire  of  forts  Washington  and  Lee,  and 
without  impediment  from  the  chevauxdcfrise,  that 
had  been  sunk  in  the  river.  The  troops 
were  conveyed  in  flat  bottomed  boats 
through  Hell  gate  into  the  Sound,  and  Ittnded  at 
Frog'b  neck,  near  West  Chester. 


i776.]  LIFE    «F     WASHINGTON.  11^ 

General  Washington  fully  comprehended  the 
plan  of  the  British  Commander,  and  immediately- 
adopted  measures  to  defeat  it.  The  bridges  were 
removed  from  the  only  road,  in  which  the  British 
columns  could  march  from  Frog's  neck  to  the  Amer- 
ican encampment,  the  ground  being  rough  and  in 
many  places  intersected  by  stone  walls.  The  road 
itself  was  broken  up,  guns  were  mounted  upon 
heights  the  most  favourable  to  a.inoy  approaching 
troops,  and  detachments  were  sent  out  to  act  in  front 
of  the  enemy,  and  to  check  their  progress.  As  Gen- 
eral Howe  prosecuted  his  scheme,  it  became  evident 
to  the  American  General  Officers,  that  a  change  of 
position  was  necessary  to  save  their  army  from  des- 
truction. General  Lee  about  this  time  joined  this 
army,  and  urged  the  immediate  execution  of  the 
measure.  The  advice  of  his  officers  according  with 
his  own  judgment,  the  Commander  in  Chief  moved 
the  army  from  York  Island,  and  stretched  it  along- 
the  North  river  towards  the  VS'hite  Plains,  until  its 
left  was  extended  above  the  enemy's  right.  It  was, 
however,  determined  to  maintain  forts  Washington 
and  Lee.  The  resolution  of  Congress  of  the  11th  of 
October,  requesting  General  Washington  in  ev- 
ery possible  way  to  obstruct  the  navigation  of  the 
river,  had  great  influence  on  this  decision.  The  re- 
moval of  the  stores  was  a  heavy  task  to  the  men  from 
the  want  of  teams. 

General   Howe  moved  his  whole  army 
*    to  New  Rochelle.     Several   sharp    skir- 
mishes ensued,  in  which  the  American  troops  behav- 
ed well.    Both  armies  manoeuvred  for  several  days 
9. 


114  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTONT,  [1776. 

to  obtain  possession  of  the  high  grounds  of  the 
White  Plains.  General  Washington  narrowly 
watched  the  movements  of  his  enemy,  and  to  secure 
a  communication  with  the  country,  and  to  cover  the 
removal  of  his  heavy  baggage,  he  disposed  his  army 
upon  the  different  heights  from  Voluntint's  Hill, 
near  King's  bridge,  to  the  White  plains,  forming  a 
chain  of  fortified  posts,  twelve  or  thirteen  miles  in 
extent.  He  now  fronted  the  British  line  of  march, 
the  river  Brunx  running  between  the  two  armies. 
During  these  operations  severe  skirmishes  took 
place  between  advanced  corps,  and  a  bold  attempt 
was  made  to  cut  off  a  British  regiment,  which  par- 
tially succeeded.  The  enterprise  of  the  American 
commander  rendered  General  Howe  extremely  cau- 
tious ;  his  movements  were  made  in  close  order, 
and  in  his  encampments  every  corps  was  strongly 
seeured. 

The  sick  and  the  stores  having  been  re- 
^  '  '  moved  to  places  of  safety,  General  Wash- 
ington drew  in  his  out  posts,  and  took  possession 
of  the  hills  on  the  east  side  of  the  Brunx,  in  front  of 
the  British  army.  A  detachment  was  posted  on  a 
hill  a  mile  from  the  main  body,  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river,  to  cover  the  right  wing ;  and  entrenchments 
were  flung  up,  as  time  permitted,  to  render  the  lines 
more  defensible. 

The  manoeuvres  of  General  Howe  indi- 

Oct    28 

'  cated  the  intention  to  attack  the  American 
camp ;  he  reconnoitred  the  position,  and  with  little  ef- 
fect opened  an  heavy  cannonade  upon  it.  He  detach- 
«d  a  large  corps  over  the  Brunx  to  drive  the  Amer- 


1776.3  LIFE    OF    WASHIHeTON.  115 

icans  from  the  hill  on  their  right,  and  thereby  open 
the  way  for  an  assault  upon  the  right  and  centre  of 
the  main  body.  The  charge  was  sustained  with 
spirit ;  but  finally  the  x\mericans  Avere  overpower- 
ed by  numbers,  and  driven  from  their  position.  The 
loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  gallant  conflict,  in  kil- 
led, wounded  and  taken,  was  between  three  and  foiif 
hundred  ;  that  of  the  British  was  not  less.  The  day 
was  so  far  spent  in  the  struggle,  that  General  Howe 
deferred  the  attack  upon  the  lines  until  next  morning, 
and  the  whole  British  army  lay  through  the  night 
upon  their  arms,  in  face  of  the  American  encamp- 
ment. General  Washington  spent  the  time  in 
making  preparation  for  the  expected  assault;  he 
•drew  his  right  wing  back  into  stronger  ground,  and 
strengthened  his  left  in  its  former  position.  The 
next  morning  the  cautious  Howe  again  reconnoitred 
the  American  camp,  and  determined  to  suspend  the 
attack  until  the  arrival  of  a  reinforcement  from  tlie 
city.  This  additional  force  reached  him  on  the  af- 
ternoon of  the  SOth,  and  preparations  Avere  made 
for  the  attack  next  morning ;  but  a  violent  rain 
prevented  the  execution  of  the  design. 

The  movements  of  the  enemy  manifest- 
°^*  '  ing  the  design  to  turn  the  right  flank  of  the 
Americans,  and  gain  possession  of  the  high  ground 
in  their  rear,  General  Washington,  having  secur- 
ed his  heavy  baggage  and  stores,  at  night  withdrew 
his  army  from  its  present  position,  and  formed  it 
upon  the  heights  of  Newcastle,  about  five  miles 
from  the  White  Plains,  and  secured  the  bridge  over 
Croton  river. 


116  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTOl^.  [1776, 

General  Howe  deemed  die  new  encampment  too 
strong  to  be  forced,  and  marched  off  his  army  to 
other  operations. 

The  immediate  object  of  General  Howe  in 
*  leaving  the  White  plains,  was  to  invest  Forts 
Washington  and  Lee.    Tlic  possession  of  these  for- 
tresses would  secure  the  free  navigation  of  the  North 
river,  and  facilitate  the  invasion  of  New  Jersey.    The 
American  Commander  conformed  his  movements  to 
those  of  his  enemy.    He  ordered  all  the  troops  raised 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  to  cross  that  river  under 
the  command  of  General  Green,  intending  himself  to 
cross,   as  soon  as  the  plans  of  General  Howe  should 
be  more  fully  disclosed.       General   Lee    remained 
with  the  troops  raised  east  of  the  Hudson,  who  was 
ordered  to  join  Green's  division,  whenever  the  enemy 
should  enter  New  Jersey.     General  Washington 
informing  Congress  of  his  new  Arrangements,  ob- 
served,  "  I  cannot  indulge  the  idea  that  General 
Howe,  supposing  him  to  be  going  to  New  York, 
means  to  close  the  campciign,  and  to  sit  down  with- 
out attempting  something  more.     I  think  it  highly- 
probable,  and  almost  certain,  that  he  will  make  a  des- 
cent with  a  part  of  his  troops  into  the  Jerseys,  and 
as  soon  as  I  am  satisfied  that  the  present  manoeuvre 
is  real,  and  not  a  feint,  I  shall  use  all  the  means  in 
my  power  to  forw  ard  a  part  of  our  force  to  counter- 
act his  designs. 

"  I  expect  the  enemy  will  bend  their  force  a- 
gainst  Fort  Washington,  ard  invest  it  immediately. 
From  sf.me  advice,  it  is  an  object  that  will  attract 
iheir  earliest  attention." 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  IIT 

He  wrote  to  Governour  Livingston,  informing 
him  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  advising 
him  to  hold  the  militia  in  theirfull  strength,  in  constant 
readiness  to  defend  their  country.  He  also  urged 
him  to  remove  or  destroy  the  stock  and  provisions 
on  the  sea  coast,  lest  these  should  full  into  the  hands 
of  the  British.  He  directed  General  Green  to  keep 
his  eye  on  Mount  Washington,  to  send  off  from  his 
division  all  stores  not  of  immediate  necessity,  and 
to  establish  his  magazines  at  Princeton,  or  some 
distant  place  of  safety. 

While  the  British  forces  were  marching  to 
King's  Bridge,  three  ships  of  war  sailed  up  the 
Hudson,  without  injury  from  the  American  batte- 
ries, or  from  the  obstructions  that  had  been  sunk  in 
the  channel  of  the  river.  This  fact  convinced  the 
General,  that  it  was  inexpedient  longer  to  attempt 
the  defence  of  Mount  Washington.  He  according- 
ly aeain  wrote  to  General  Green,  "  If  we 
Ncv.  8.      -^      ^  ,      ^  '  . 

cannot  prevent  vessels  from  passmg   up, 

and  the  eneijiy  are  possessed  of  the  surrounding 
country,  what  valuable  purpose  can  it  answer  to  at- 
tempt to  hold  a  post,  from  which  the  expected  bene- 
fit cannot  be  derived  ?  I  am,  therefore,  inclined  to 
think  it  will  not  be  prudent  to  hazard  the  men  and 
stores  at  Mount  Washington  ;  but  as  you  are  on  the 
spot,  I  leave  it  to  you  to  give  such  orders  respecting 
the  evacuation  of  the  place,  as  you  may  think  most 
advisable,  and  so  far  revoke  the  orders  given  Colo- 
nel Magaw  to  defend  it  to  the  last."'  In  the  pre- 
sumption, that  the  works  were  too  strong  to  be  car- 
ded  by   storm,  and  that    regular  approaches   by 


115  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [[1776. 

artillery  would  give  opportunity  to  draw  off  the  gar- 
rison, when  their  circumstances  should  become  des- 
perate, General  Green  did  not  carry  these  discre- 
tionary  orders  into  effect.  He  was  induced  to  this 
delay,  that  he  might,  as  long  as  possible,  retain  the 
passage  of  the  river,  and  prevent  the  depression, 
which  the  evacuation  of  an  important  post  might 
^produce  on  the  army  and  on  the  country. 

General  Howe  beins:  in  readiness  for 
•  the  assault,  summoned  the  garrison  to  sur* 
render.  Colonel  Magaw,  the  commanding  officer, 
in  spirited  language,  replied,  that  he  should  defend 
his  works  to  extremity.  He  immediately  communi- 
cated the  summons  to  General  Green,  and  through 
him  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  then  at  Hacken- 
sack.  The  General  rode  to  Fort  Lee,  at  which  place 
he  took  boat,  late  at  night,  for  Mount  Washington  ; 
but,  on  the  river,  met  Generals  Putnam  and  Green 
returning  from  a  visit  to  the  garrison,  who  informed 
him  that  the  men  were  in  high  spirits,  and  would 
make  a  brave  defence,  and  he  retuijjied  with  them 
to  Fort  Lee. 

On  the  succeeding  morning  the  enemy  made 
the  assault  in  four  separate  divisions.  The  Hessians, 
commanded  by  General  Knyphausen,  moved  down 
from  King's  bridge  to  attack  the  north  side  of  the 
fort,  they  were  gallantly  opposed,  and  repeatedly  re- 
pulsed by  Colonel  Rawlings's  regiment  of  riflemen 
posted  on  a  hill  back  of  the  works.  Lord  Percy,  ac- 
companied by  General  Howe,  assaulted  the  works 
on  the  south  :  General  Mathews  crossed  the  East 
river,  and  landed  within  the  second  line  of  defence, 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGfTON.  11$ 

while  a  considerable  part  of  the  garrison  were  in  the 
first,  fighting  with  Lord  Percy.  Colonel  Cadwalla- 
der,  the  commander  at  this  post,  fearing  an  attack 
on  his  rear,  retreated  in  confusion  towards  the  fort ; 
but  the  fourth  British  column  crossing  the  East  riv- 
er at  this  moment,  within  the  lines,  intercepted  a 
part  of  Cadvvallader's  troops,  and  made  them  prison- 
ers. In  the  mean  time,  Knyphausen  had  overcome 
the  obstinate  resistance  of  Colonel  Rav/lings,  and 
gained  the  summit  of  the  hill.  The  whole  gar- 
rison now  entered  the  fort  or  retreated  under  its 
guns. 

The  enemy  having  surmounted  the  outworks, 
again  summoned  the  garrison  to  surrender.  His 
ammunition  being  nearly  expended,  and  his  force 
incompetent  to  repel  the  numbers,  which  were  rea- 
dy on  every  side  to  assail  him,  Colonel  Magaw  sur- 
rendered himself  and  his  garrison,  consisting  of  two 
thousand  men,  prisoners  of  war.  The  enemy  lost 
in  the  assault  about  eight  hundred  men,  mostly 
Germans.  Sopn  after  the  second  summons.  Gen- 
eral Washington  found  means  to  send  a  billet  to 
Colonel  Magaw,  requesting  him  to  defend  himself  un- 
til the  evening,  and  he  would  take  measures  to  bring 
him  oif  ;  but  the  situation  of  the  garrison  was  too 
desperate,  and  the  negotiation  had  proceeded  too  far 
to  make  the  attempt. 

The  conquest  of  Mount  Washington  made  the 
evacuation  of  Fort  Lee  necessary.  Orders  were 
therefore  issued  to  remove  the  ammunition  and 
stores  in  it ;  but  before  mucli  progress  had  been 


120  LIFl  OF  WASHINGTON.       [1776. 

made  in  this  business,  Lord  Cornwallis 
crossed  the  Hudson  with  a  number  of 
battalions,  with  the  intention  to  inclose  the  garrison 
between  the  Hackensack  and  North  Rivers.  This 
movement  made  a  precipitate  retreat  indispensable, 
u  hich  was  happily  effected  with  little  loss  of  men  ; 
but  a  greater  part  of  the  artillery,  stores  and  baggage 
was  left  for  the  enemy. 

The  loss  at  Mount  Washington  was  heavy. 
The  regiments  captured  in  it  were  some  of  the  best 
troops  in  the  army.  The  tents,  camp  kettles  and  stores 
lost  at  this  place  and  at  Fort  Lee,  could  not  during 
the  campaign  be  replaced,  and  for  the  want  of  them 
the  men  suffered  extremely.  This  loss  was  unneces- 
sarily sustained.  Those  posts  ought,  unquestiona- 
bly, to  have  been  evacuated  before  General  Howe 
was  in  a  situation  to  invest  them.  When  the  Brit- 
ish General  gained  possession  of  the  country  above 
those  positions,  they  became  in  a  great  degree  use- 
less to  the  Americans.  This  opinion  is  clearly  ex- 
pressed in  the  letter  of  General  Washington  to 
General  Green.  The  errour  to  be  attributed  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  consisted  in  submittingthe 
measure  of  evacuation  to  the  discretion  of  a  subal- 
tern officer,  instead  of  absolutely  directing  it,  in  the 
exercise  of  powers  vested  in  him.  After  the  dis- 
asterous  event  had  taken  place,  he  possessed  too 
much  magnanimity  to  exculpate  himself  by  crim- 
inating General  Green. 

The  American  force  was  daily  diminished  by 
the  expiration  of  the  soldiers'  term  of  inlistment, 
and  by  the  desertion  of  the  militia. 


1776.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  121 

When  General  Kowe  in  force  crossed 

^^'  '  into  New  Jersey,  General  Wash  IN  GToisr 
posted  the  army  under  his  immediate  command,  con- 
sisting of  only  three  thousand  men,  along  the  Hack- 
ensack  ;  but  was  unable  seriously  to  oppose  the  ene- 
my in  iis  passage.  The  country  behind  him  was 
level ;  he  was  without  entrenching  tools,  and  with- 
out tents  ;  his  troops  were  miserably  clothed,  and 
the  season  was  becoming  inclement.  The  firm 
mind  of  General  Washington  sunk  not  under 
these  depressing  circumstances.  Although  no 
bright  prospect  presented  itself  to  his  contemplation, 
yet  he  exerted  himself  to  increase  his  effective  force, 
and  to  make  the  best  disposal  of  that  under  his  direc- 
tion. He  ordered  General  Schuyler  to  send  to  his 
aid  the  troops,  belonging  to  Pennsylvania  and 
Jersey,  which  had  been  attached  to  the  Northern  ar- 
my ;  but  their  term  of  service  expired  before  they 
reached  his  encampment,  and  they  brought  him  no 
eflec.ual  support.  He  ordered  General  Lee  to  cross 
the  Hudson,  rnd  join  him  with  those  of  his  troops, 
whose  time  of  service  was  not  expiring ;  but  Gener- 
al Lee  loitered  upon  the  East  side  of  the  river,  and 
discovered  an  ardent  incHnation  to  retain  a  separate 
command  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy.  He,  in  repeated 
messages  informed  Lee,  that  his  joining  was  of  ab- 
solute necessity,  that  ihe  people  of  Jersey  expected 
security  from  the  American  army ;  and  if  disap- 
pointed, they  would  yield  no  support  to  a  force,  that 
did  not  protect  them ;  and  cautioned  him  to  take 
his  route  so  high  in  the  country,  as  to  avoid  the  dan- 
-ger  of  being  intercepted  by  the  €nemy.     These  or- 


122  bltE    6f    WASHlNetON.  [I776» 

dcrs  General  Lee  executed  in  a  reluctant  and  tardy 
manner,  and  soon  after  he  entered  New  Jersey,  care- 
lessly taking  his  quarters  for  a  night  in  a  house  three 
miles  from  his  force,  he  was  surprized  and  taken 
prisoner  by  a  detachment  of  British  Dragoons. 
General  Washington  also  renewed  his  letters  to 
Congress,  and  to  the  Executives  of  the,  neighbour- 
ing States,  urging  them  to  bring  the  whole  strength 
of  the  militia  into  the  field,  to  enable  him  to  check 
the  progress  of  the  invading  foe.  To  back  these 
requests,  he  directed  General  Mifflin  to  repair  to 
Philadelphia,  General  Armstrong  to  the  interiour  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  Colonel  Reed,  his  Adjutant  Gen^ 
eral,  to  the  distant  counties  of  New  Jersey.  The 
known  influence  of  these  gentlemen  in  those  places, 
united  to  the  exertions  of  the  constituted  authorities, 
would,  the  General  hoped,  bring  a  powerful  rein- 
forcement to  his  army.  All  these  efforts  were  for 
the  present  time  ineffectual. 

As  General  Howe  advanced,  the  American  ar- 
my retreated  towards  the  Delaware.  It  frequently 
happened,  that  the  front  guard  of  the  British  entered 
one  end  of  a  village,  as  the  rear  of  the  Americans 
quitted  the  other.  Whenever  it  could  be  done  with 
safety.  General  Washington  made  a  stand,  to 
shew  the  semblance  of  an  army,  and  to  retard  the 
progress  of  the  enemy. 

At  Brunswick,  Lord  and  General  Howe,  Com- 
missioners, issued  a  proclamation,  commanding  all 
persons  in  arms  against  the  King,  peaceably  to  return 
to  their  homes,  and  all  civil  officers  to  desist  from 
their  treasonable  practices ;  and  offering  a  full  par- 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  1J5 

don  to  all  persons,  who  should  in  sixty  days  appear 
before  appointed  officers  of  the  crown,  and  subscribe 
a  declaration  of  their  submission  to  royal  authority. 
This  was  the  most  gloomy  period  of  the 
revolutionary  war.  It  was  the  crisis  of  the 
struggle  of  the  United  States  for  Independence. 
The  American  army  reduced  in  numbers,  depressed 
by  defeat  and  exhausted  by  fatigue,  naked,  barefoot, 
and  destitute  of  tents,  and  even  of  utensils,  with 
which  to  dress  their  scanty  provisions,  was  fleeing 
before  a  triumphant  army,  well  appointed  and  abun- 
dantly  supplied.  A  general  spirit  of  despondency 
through  New  Jersey  was  the  consequence  of  this 
disastrous  state  of  publick  affairs.  No  city  or  town 
indeed,  in  its  incorporate  capacity  submitted  to  the 
British  government.  A  few  characters  of  distinc- 
tion maintained  their  political  integrity  ;  and  nearly 
a  thousand  of  the  militia  of  the  state  bravely  kept 
the  field  in  defence  of  their  country.  But  most  of 
the  families  of  fortune  and  influence,  discovered  an 
inclination  to  return  to  their  allegiance  to  the  King. 
Many  of  the  yeomanry  claimed  the  benefits  of 
the  Commissioners'  proclamation;  and  the  great 
body  of  them  were  too  much  taken  up  with  the  se- 
curity of  their  families  and  their  property,  to  make 
any  exertion  in  the  publick  cause. 

In  this  worst  of  times  Congress  stood  unmoved. 
Their  measures  exhibited  no  symptoms  of  confu- 
sion or  dismay,  the  publick  danger  only  roused  them 
to  more  vigorous  exertions,  that  they  might  give  a 
firmer  tone  to  the  publick  mind,  and  animate  the 
citizens  of  United  America  to  a  manly  defence  of 
their  Iiidependence, 


124  LITE  OF  Washington.  [1776. 

Beneath  this  cloud  of  adversity,  General  Wash- 
INGTON  shone,  perhaps  witha  brighter  lustre,  than 
in  the  day  of  his  highest  prosperity.  Not  dismayed 
by  all  the  difficulties  which  encompassed  him,  he 
accommodated  his  measures  to  his  situation,  and 
still  made  the  good  of  his  country  the  object  of  his 
unwearied  pursuit.  He  ever  M'ore  the  countenance 
of  composure  and  confidence  ;  by  his  own  example 
inspiring  his  little  band  with  firmness  to  struggle 
with  adverse  fortune. 

As  the  British  advanced  upon  him,  he  retreated, 
and  having  previously  broken  down  the  bridges  on 
the  Jersey  shore,  he  crossed  the  Delaware, 
^'  '  and  secured  the  boats  upon  the  river  for  a 
distance  of  seventy  miles.  The  van  of  the  enemy 
appeared  upon  the  left  bank  of  the  Delaware,  while 
the  rear  of  the  American  army  was  upon  its  passage. 

After  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  procure  boats 
to  pass  the  Delaware,  General  Howe  cantoned  his 
army  in  New  Jersey,  intending  to  wait  until  the  frost 
of  winter  should  furnish  him  with  an  easy  passage 
upon  the  ice  to  Philadelphia.  He  stationed  four 
thousand  men  along  the  Delaware  at  Trenton,  Bor- 
dentown,  the  White  Horse  and  Burlington.  And 
the  residue  of  his  force,  he  posted  between  the  Del- 
aware and  the  Hackensack. 

General  Washington  ordered  the  American 
gallies  to  keep  the  river,  narrowly  to  watch  the  ene- 
my, and  to  give  the  earliest  notice  of  their  move- 
ments. He  posted  his  troops  upon  the  south  side 
of  the  Delaware,  in  situations  the  most  favourable  to 
guard  the  fords  and  ferries  ;  and  he  gave  written  in* 


1776.]  LIFE     or    WASHINGTON.  12# 

structions  to  the  commanding  of&cer  of  each  detach- 
ment, directing  what  passes  he  should  defend,  if 
driven  from  his  post,  on  his  retreat  to  the  heights  of 
Germantown.  While  waiting  for  reinforcements 
he  kept  a  steady  e3'e  on  the  enemy,  and  used  every 
means  in  his  power  to  gain  correct  information  of 
their  pliins.  This  moment  of  inaction  he  also  em- 
biaced,  to  lay  before  Congress  his  reiterated  remon- 
strances against  the  fatal  system  of  short  inlistments. 
He  hoped  that  experience,  by  its  severe  chastise- 
ment, \\ouid  produce  the  conviction  upon  that  body, 
uhich  his  arguments  and  persuasions  had  not  fully 
efTected. 

He  urged  Congress  to  establish  corps 
^**  ■  of  cavalry,  artillerists  and  engineers,  and 
pressed  upon  them  the  necessity  of  establishing  ad* 
ditional  regiments  of  infantry.  He  knew  that  ob- 
jections to  these  measures  would  arise,  on  account 
of  the  expense,  and  from  the  consideration,  that  the 
old  battalions  were  not  yet  filled ;  these  he  obviated 
by  observing,  that  ' '  more  men  would  in  this  way  on 
the  whole  be  raised,  and  that  our  funds  were  not  the 
only  object  ndRv  to  be  taken  into  consideration,  W© 
find,"  he  added,  "  that  the  enemy  are  daily  gathering 
strength  from  the  disaffected.  This  strength,  like  a. 
snowball  by  rolling,  will  increase,  unless  some  means 
can  be  devised  to  check,  effectually,  the  progress  of 
the  enemy's  arms  :  Militia  may  possibly  do  it  for  a 
little  while  ;  but  in  a  little  while  also,  the  militia  of 
these  states,  which  have  frequently  been  called  upon, 
will  not  turn  out  at  call  ;  or  if  they  do,  it  will  be 
with  so  much  reluctance  and  sloth,  as  to  amount  to 


126  LIFE    Of    WASHINGTON.  [1776, 

the  same  thing :  Instance  New  Jersey  !  Witness 
Pennsylvania  !  Could  any  thing  but  the  river  Dela- 
ware have  saved  Philadelphia  ?  Could  any  thing 
(the  exigency  of  the  case  indeed  may  justify  it)  be 
more  destructive  to  the  recruiting  service,  than  giv- 
ing ten  dollars  bounty,  for  six  weeks'  service  of  the 
militia,  who  come  in,  you  cannot  tell  how,  go  you 
cannot  tell  when,  and  act,  you  cannot  tell  where.... 
consume  your  provisions,  exhaust  your  stores,  and 
leave  you  at  last,  at  a  critical  moment.  These  arc 
the  men  I  am  to  depend  upon  ten  days  hence.  This 
is  the  basis  on  which  your  cause  will,  and  must  for- 
ever depend,  till  you  get  a  large  standing  army,  suf- 
ficient of  itself  to  oppose  the  enemy." 

With  deference  he  suggested  to  Congress  the 
expediency  of  enlarging  his  own  powers,  that  he 
might  execute  important  measures,  without  consult- 
ing with  them,  and  possibly,  by  the  delay,  missing 
the  favourable  moment  of  action.  "  It  may  be 
said,"  he  observed,  *'  that  this  is  an  application  for 
powers  that  are  too  dangerous  to  be  entrusted.  I 
can  only  add,  that  desperate  diseases  require  despe- 
rate remedies,  and  with  truth  declare, 4hat  I  have  no 
lust  after  power,  but  wish  with  as  much  fervency  as 
any  man  upon  the  wide  extended  continent,  for  an 
opportunity  of  turning  the  sword  into  a  ploughshare. 
But  my  feelings  as  an  officer  and  a  man,  have  been 
such  as  to  force  me  to  say,  that  no  person  ever  had 
a  greater  choice  of  difficulties  to  contend  with  than 
I  have."  Having  recommended  sundry  other  meas- 
ures, and  mentioned  several  arrangements  which  he 
had  adopted  beyond  the  spirit  of  his  commission., 
he  concluded  with  the  following  observations. 


1776.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  12f 

"  It  may  be  thought  that  I  am  going  a  good  deal 
out  of  the  line  of  my  duty  to  adopt  these  measures, 
or  to  advise  thus  freely.  A  character  to  lose,  an 
estate  to  forfeit,  the  inestimable  blessings  of  liberty 
at  stake,  and  a  life  devoted,  must  be  my  apology." 

These  weighty  representations  were  not  fruitless. 
Congress,  by  a  resolution,  invested  their 
^^'  *  General  with  almost  unlimited  powers  to 
manage  the  war. 

The  united  exertions  of  civil  and  military  of- 
ficers had  by  this  time  brought  a  considerable  body 
of  militia  into  the  field.  General  Sullivan  too,  on 
whom  the  command  of  General  Lee's  division  de- 
volved upon  his  capture,  promptly  obeyed  the  or- 
ders of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and  at  this  period 
joined  him ;  and  General  Heath  was  marching  a 
detachment  from  Peck's  Kill.  The  army,  with 
these  reinforcements,  amounted  to  seven  thousand 
men,  and  General  Washington  determined  to 
recommence  active  operations. 

General  Maxwell  had  already  been  sent  into 
New  Jersey,  to  take  the  command  of  three  regiments 
of  regular  forces,  and  about  eight  hundred  of  the 
militia.  His  orders  were,  to  give  the  inhabitants  all 
possible  support,  and  to  prevent  the  disaffected  from 
goingintothe  British  lines  to  make  their  submission, 
to  harass  the  marches  of  the  enemy,  to  give  early 
intelligence  of  their  movements,  particularly  of  those 
towards  Princeton  and  Trenton. 

These  measures  were  preparatory  to  more  enter- 
prising and  bold  operations.  General  Washing- 
ton liad  noticed  the  loose  and  uncovered  state  of 


128  LIFE    Of   WASHINGTON.  [I77d« 

the  winter  quarters  of  the  British  army  ;  and  he 
contemplated  the  preservation  of  Philadtlphia,  and 
the  recovery  of  New  Jersey,  by  swecpii'fij,  at  one 
stroke,  all  the  British  cantonments  upon  the  Dela- 
ware. The  present  position  of  his  forces  favoured 
the  execution  of  his  plan. 

The  troops  under  the  immediate  command  of  Gen-* 
eral  Washington,  consisting  of  about  two  thous- 
and and  four  hundred  men,  were  ordered  to  cross 
the  river  at  M'Konkey's  ferry,  nine  miles  above 
Trenton,  to  attack  that  post.  General  Irvine  was 
directed  to  cross  with  his  division  at  Trenton  ferry, 
to  secure  the  bridge  below  the  town,  and  prevent 
the  retreat  of  the  enemy  that  way.  General  Cadwal- 
lader  received  orders  to  pass  the  river  at  Bristol  fer- 
ry, and  assault  the  post  at  Burlington.  The  night 
of  the  twentyfifth  was  assigned  for  the  execution  of 
this  daring  scheme.  It  proved  to  be  severely  cold, 
and  so  much  ice  was  made  in  the  river,  that  Gener- 
al Irvine  and  General  Cadwallader,  after  having 
strenuously  exerted  themselves,  found  it  impracti- 
cable to  pass  their  divisions,  and  t/ieir  part  of  the 
plan  totally  failed. 

The  Commander  in  Chief  was  more  fortunate. 
With  difficulty  he  crossed  the  river,  but  was  delay- 
ed in  point  of  time.  He  expected  to  have  reached 
Trenton  at  the  dawn  of  day,  and  it  was  three  o'clock 
in  the  morning  before  he  had  passed  the  troops  and 
artillery  over  the  river,  and  four  before  he  commenc- 
ed his  line  of  march.  Being  now  distant  nine 
miles  from  the  British  encampment,  the  attempt  to 
isurprize  it  was  given  up.     He  formed  his  little  ar- 


1776.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  1^9 

my  into  two  divisions,  one  of  which  was  directed  to 
proceed  by  the  river  road  into  the  w  est  end  of  Tren- 
ton, and  the  other  by  the  Pennington  road  which 
leads  into  tlic  north  end  of  the  town.  The  distance 
being  equal,  the  General  supposed,  that  each  divis- 
ion would  arrive  at  the  scene  of  action  about  the 
same  time  ;  and  therefore  he  ordered  each  to  attack 
the  moment  of  its  arrival,  and  driving  in  the  picket 
guard,  to  press  after  it  into  the  town.  The  Gener- 
al accompanying  the  division  on  the  Pennington 
road,  reached  the  out  post  of  the  enemy  precisely  at 
eight  o'clock,  and  in  three  minutes  after,  had  the 
satisfaction  to  hear  the  firing  of  his  men  on  the 
other  road. 

The  brave  Colonel  Rawle,  the  commanding  of- 
ficer, paraded  his  forces  for  the  defence  of  his  post* 
He  was  by  the  first  fire  mortally  wounded,  and  his 
men  in  apparent  dismay,  attempted  to  file  off  towards 
Princeton.  General  Washington  perceiving  their 
intention,  moved  a  part  of  his  troops  into  this  road 
in  their  front,  and  defeated  the  design.  Their  ar- 
tillery being  seized,  and  the  Americans  pressing  up- 
on them,  they  surrendered.  Twenty  of  the  Ger- 
mans were  killed,  and  one  thousand  made  prisoners. 
By  the  failure  of  General  Irvine,  a  small  body  of  the 
enemy  stationed  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town  escap- 
ed over  the  bridge  to  Bordenton.  Of  the  Ameri- 
can troops,  two  privates  were  killed,  and  two  frozen 
to  death,  one  officer  and  three  or  four  privates  were 
wounded. 

Could  the  other  divisions  have  crossed  the  Dela- 
ware, General  Washington's  plan  in  its  full  ex- 
s 


130  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  [1777. 

tent  vvpuld  probably  have  succeeded.  Not  thinking 
it  prudent  to  hazard  the  fruits  of  this  gallant  stroke 
by  more  daring  attempts,  the  General  the  same  day, 
recrossed  the  Delaware  with  his  prisoners,  with  six 
pieces  of  artillery,  a  thousand  stand  of  arms,  and 
some  military  stores. 

General  Howe  was  astonished  at  this  display  of 
enterprise  and  vigour.  He  found  the  American 
Commander,  a  formidable  enemy  under  circumstan- 
ces of  the  greatest  depression,  and  although  in  the 
depth  of  winter,  determined  to  recommence  active 
operations.  In  pursuance  of  this  resolution,  he  called 
in  his  out  posts  and  assembled  a  powerful  force  at 
Princeton. 

Having  allowed  his  men  two  or  three  days  rest. 
General  Washington  again  passed  into  New  Jer- 
sey, and  concentrated  his  forces,  amounting  to  five 
thousand,  at  Trenton.  He  pushed  a  small  detach- 
ment to  Maidenhead,  about  half  way  between  Tren- 
ton and  Princeton,  to  watch  the  movement  of  the 
enemy,  and  delay  their  march,  should  they  advance 
upon  him.  On  the  next  morning,  Lord 
,«!„  '    Cornwallis  moved   towards  the  American 

1777. 

General  with  a  superiour  force,  and  reached 
Trenton  at  four  o'clock  of  the  afternoon.  General 
Washington  drew  up  his  men  behind  Assump- 
inck  creek,  which  runs  through  the  town.  A  cannon- 
ade was  opened  on  both  sides.  His  Lordship  at- 
tempted at  several  places  to  cross  the  creek  ;  but 
finding  the  passes  guarded,  he  halted  his  troops, 
and  kindled  his  fires. 


1777.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  131 

Early  in  the  evening  General  Washington 
assembled  his  officers  in  Council,  and  stated  to  them 
the  critical  situation  of  the  army.  "  In  the  morning'* 
he  observed,  "we  certainly  shall  be  attacked  by 
a  superiour  force,  defeat  must  operate  our  absolute 
destruction,  a  retreat  across  the  Delaware  is  ex- 
tremely hazardous,  if  practicable,  on  account  of  the 
ice.  In  either  case,  the  advantages  of  our  late  suc- 
cess will  be  sacrificed.  New  Jersey  must  again  be 
resigned  to  the  enemy,  and  a  train  of  depressing  and 
disastrous  consequences  will  ensue."  He  then  pro- 
posed to  their  consideration  the  expediency  of  the 
following  measure.  "  Shall  we  silently  quit  our 
present  position,  by  a  circuitous  route,  gain  the  rear 
of  the  enemy  at  Princeton,  and  there  avail  ourselves 
of  favourable  circumstances  ?  By  this  measure  we 
shall  avoid  the  appearance  of  a  retreat,  we  shall  as- 
sume the  aspect  of  vigourous  operntion,  inspirit  the 
publick  mind,  and  subserve  the  interests  of  our 
country." 

The  plan  was  unanimously  approved,  and  meas- 
ures were  instantly  adopted  for  its  execution  ;  the 
baggage  was  silently  removed  to  Burlington  ;  the 
fires  were  renewed,  and  ordered  to  be  kept  up 
through  the  night  ;  guards  were  posted  at  the 
bridge  and  fords  of  the  creek,  and  directed  to  go  the 
usual  rounds.  At  one  o'clock  at  night,  the  army 
moved  upon  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  and  unper- 
ceived  g'ained  their  rear.  The  weather,  ^vhich  for 
several  days  had  been  warm,  suddenly  shifted  to  a 
severe  frost ;  and  the  roads,  which  had  been  deep 
and  muddy,  immediately  became  hard  and  march- 
ing upon  them  easy. 


132  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

About  sunrise  the  American  van  met  the  ad- 
vance of  three  British  regiments,  which  had  the 
preceding  night  encamped  at  Princeton,  and  were 
on  their  way  to  join  Lord  Cornwallis.  A  severe 
skirmish  took  place  between  this  advanced  corps 
and  General  Mercer,  who  commanded  the  militia 
in  front  of  the  American  line.  The  militia  at  length 
gave  way,  and  in  the  effort  to  rally  them,  General 
Mercer  was  mortally  wounded.  General  Wash- 
ington advanced  at  the  head  of  those  troops  which 
had  signalized  themselves  at  Trenton,  and  exposed 
himself  to  the  hottest  fire  of  the  enemy.  His  men 
bravely  supported  him,  and  the  British  in  their  turn 
were  repulsed,  and  the  different  regiments  separated. 
That  in  the  rear,  retreated  with  little  loss  to  Bruns- 
wick. Colonel  Mawhood  in  the  van,  w  ith  a  part  of 
his  men,  forced  his  way  through  the  Americans,  and 
reached  Trenton.  More  than  an  hundred  of  the 
British  were  left  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  three 
hundred  of  them  were  made  prisoners.  Besides 
General  Mercer,  whose  death  was  greatly  lamented, 
the  Americans  in  this  action,  lost  two  Colonels, 
two  Captains,  fi\^e  other  officers,  and  nearly  an  hun- 
dred  privates. 

On  the  return  of  day.  Lord  Cornwallis  found, 
that  he  had  been  out  generalled.  Comprehending 
the  design  of  Washington,  he  broke  up  his  en- 
campment, and  with  the  utmost  expedition  trod 
back  his  own  steps,  for  the  preservation  of  the  stores 
in  his  rear  ;  and  he  was  close  upon  the  Americans, 
as  they  marched  out  of  Princeton. 

It  had  been  the  intention  of  General  Washing- 
jon  to  proceed  to  Brunswick,  where   the  British 


1777.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  133 

had  large  magazines,  and  where  was  their  military 
chest,  which  at  this  time,  as  it  afterwards  appeared, 
contained  seventy  thousand  pounds  sterling.  But 
many  of  his  soldiers  had  not  slept  for  forty  eight 
hours,  none  of  them  for  the  last  twenty  four,  and 
they  were  exhausted  by  excessive  duty.  They 
were  closely  pursued  by  a  superiour  force,  which 
must  be  up  with  them,  before  the  stores  at  Bruns- 
wick could  be  destroyed,  should  they  meet  with  se- 
rious opposition  at  that  place.  General  Washing- 
ton therefore  relinquished  this  part  of  his  plan,  and 
prudently  led  his  army  to  a  place  of  security,  to  ^ivc 
them  the  rest  which  they  greatly  needed. 

The  successes  of  the  American  arms  at  Trenton, 
and  at  Princeton,  were  followed  by  important  conse- 
quences. The  aflairs  of  the  United  States,  before 
these  events,  appeared  to  be  desperate.  Two  thous- 
and of  the  regular  troops  had  a  right,  on  the  first  of 
January,  to  demand  their  discharge.  The  recruit- 
ing service  was  at  an  end,  and  general  despondency 
prevailed.  The  triumphs  of  the  British  through  the 
previous  parts  of  the  campaign,  produced  a  common 
apprehension,  in  the  citizens  of  the  middle  states, 
that  any  further  struggle  would  be  useless  ;  and 
that  America  must  eventually  return  to  her  alle- 
giance to  Great  Britain.  Many  individuals  made 
their  peace  with  the  Commissioners,  and  took  pro- 
tection from  the  officers  of  the  crown ;  and  more 
discovered  the  inclination  to  do  it,  when  opportuni- 
ty  should  present.  General  Howe  supposed  New- 
Jersey  restored  to  the  British  government,  and 
thought  the  war  dravvir.g  to  a  close.  But  these  sue- 


134  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [177T. 

cesses  were  considered,  as  great  victories,  and  pro- 
duced consequent  effects  upon  the  publick  mind. 
The  character  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  propor- 
tionably  rose  in  the  estimation  of  the  great  mass  of 
American  people,  who  now  respected  themselves, 
and  confided  in  their  persevering  efforts  to  secure 
the  great  object  of  contention,  the  independence  of 
their  country. 

Other  causes  had  a  powerful  operation  upon 
the  minds  of  the  yeomanry  of  New  Jersey.  The 
British  commanders  tolerated,  or  at  least  neglect. 
ed  to  restrain,  gross  licentiousness  in  their  army. 
The  inhabitants  of  the  state,  which  they  boasted 
was  restored  to  the  bosom  cf  the  parent  country, 
were  treated  not  as  reclaimed  friends,  but  as  con- 
quered enemies.  The  soldiery  were  guilty  of  every 
species  of  rapine,  and  with  little  discrimination  of 
those  who  had  opposed,  or  supported  the  measures 
of  Britain.  The  abuse  was  not  limited  to  the  plun- 
dering of  property.  Every  indignity  was  offered  to 
the  persons  of  the  inhabitants,  not  excepting  those 
outrages  to  the  female  sex,  which  are  felt  by  ingen- 
uous minds  with  the  keenest  anguish,  and  excite 
noble  spirits  to  desperate  resistance.  These  aggra- 
vated abuses  roused  the  people  of  New  Jersey  to  re- 
pel that  army,  to  which  they  had  voluntarily  submit- 
ted, in  the  expectation  of  protection  and  security. 
At  the  dawn  of  success  upon  the  American  arms, 
they  rose  in  small  bands  to  oppose  their  invaders. 
They  scoured  the  country,  cut  off"  every  soldier  who 
straggled  from  his  corps ;  and  in  many  instances  re- 
pelled tlic  foraging  parties  of  the  enemy. 


1777.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  135 

The  enterprising  manoeuvres  of  the  American 
General,  and  the  returning  spirit  of  the  Jersey  yeo- 
manry, rendered  General  Howe,  now  Sir  \\  illiam, 
very  cautious  and  circumspect.  He  contracted 
his  cantonments  for  winter  quarters,  and  concen- 
trated his  \A  hole  force  in  the  Jersey,  at  Brunswick 
and  Amboy. 

By  this  time,  the  period  of  service  of  the  Con- 
tinental battalions  had  expired,  and  the  recruits  for 
the  new  army  were  not  yet  in  camp.  Oifensive 
operations,  therefore,  were  of  necessity  suspended 
by  the  American  General  ;  but,  with  the  small  force 
at  his  disposal,  he  straitened  the  enemy's  quarters, 
and  circumscribed  their  foraging  excursions. 

At  Christmas  the  power  of  the  British  was  ex- 
tended over  the  w  hole  of  New  Jersey,  and  their 
commanders  boasted,  that  a  corporal's  guard  might 
in  safety  parade  in  every  part  of  the  province. 
Before  the  expiration  of  January,  they  possessed  but 
two  posts  in  the  state,  and  these  were  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  their  shipping.  The  power  of  their 
arms  extended  not  beyond  the  reach  of  the  guns  of 
their  fortifications.  Every  load  of  forage,  and  every 
pound  of  provision,  obtained  from  the  inhabitants, 
were  procured  by  the  bayonets  of  large  detachments, 
and  at  the  price  of  blood. 


136         LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.       [l777. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


General  Washingi'qn  disfioses  his  small  force  for  the  protec 
Hon  ofJVew  Jersey — 4r7}iy  Innoculated 4buse  of  Ameri- 
can prisoners. ...The  Excliange  of  General  Lee  refused.,,. 
Stores  at  Peck's  Kill  and  Danbury  destroyed. .„American  Ar- 
my  takes  post  at  Middlebrook... .Sir  Williajn  Howe  move* 
towards  the  Delaware  ....Rettcrns  to  Stat  en  Island  and  em- 
barks  his  troops..., He  lands  at  the  Head  of  Elk. ...General 
WASHiNGfON  marches  to  meet  him....Battle  of  Brandywine .... 
Effects  of  a  Storm. ...British  take  possessio?i  of  Philadelphia  .... 
Mud  Island  and  Red  Ba?ik  fortifed... .Obstructions  in  the 
River.... Attack  on  Mud  Island... .Count  Donop  defeated.... 
British  surmount  the  Fortif  cations  of  the  River. ...Plan  to 
attack  Philadelphia. ...Sir  William  Howe  reconnoitres  the 
American  camp  at  White  Marsh. ...The  Army  posted  at  Val- 
ley Forge., ..The  Privations  of  the  Soldiers  during  the 
Winter. 

1777.  General  Washington  in- 
dulged the  hope  that  the  brilliant  success,  at  the 
close  of  the  last  campaign,  would  stimulate  his  coun- 
try to  bring  a  force  into  the  field,  which  would  ena- 
ble him  in  the  course  of  the  winter,  to  drive  the  ene- 
my into  New  York,  to  straiten  their  quarters  and 
prevent  their  obtaining  any  supplies  from  the  neigh- 
bouring counties.  Being  disappointed  in  this  hope, 
he  disposed  his  small  force  in  the  best  manner  to 
protect  New  Jersey,  and  exerted  himself  to  prepare 
for  the  approaching  season  of  action. 


1777.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  15T 

The  most  popular  officers  were  sent  into  the  states 
in  which  they  had  the  greatest  influence,  to  aid  the 
recruiting  service,  and  to  push  the  recruits  forwaid 
to  camp,  in  small  bodies,  as  they  could  be  made 
ready. 

The  army  having  suffered  extremely  from  the 
small  pox,  the  General  resolved  that  they  should  be 
relieved  from  the  scourge  and  tenour  of  this  disease. 
Orders  were  accordingly  given  secretly  to  inoculate 
the  continental  soldiers  in  their  winter  quarters  ; 
and  places  Mere  assigned  at  which  the  recruits  were 
to  go  through  the  operation,  as  they  successively  ap- 
proached the  ca'Thp.  The  business  successfully  is- 
sued, and  Sir  William  did  not  avail  himself  of  the 
temporary  debility  of  the  American  army. 

Congress  had  also  admitted  the  expectation  of 
splendid  events,  during  the  winter.  In  answer  to  a 
letter,  expressing  this  expectation,  the  Commander 
in  Chief  gave  the  following  account  of  the  state  of 
his  army. 

"  Could  I  accomplish  the  impor- 
March  4.  ^^^^  object,  so  eagerly  wished  by  Con- 
gress, confining  the  enem}'  in  their  present  quar- 
ters, preventing  their  gatheriiig  supj)lies  fi  om  the 
country,  and  totally  subduing  them  before  they  are 
reinforced,  I  should  be  happy  indeed.  But  what 
prospect,  or  hope,  can  there  be,  of  my  effecting  so 
desirable  a  work  at  this  time  ?  The  enclosed  return, 
to  which  I  solicit  the  most  serious  attention  of  Con- 
gress, comprehends  the  whole  force  I  have  in  the 
Jersey.  It  is  but  an  handful,  ^\nd  bears  no  propor- 
tion, ill  the  scale  of  numbers  to  that  of  the  enemy. 


133  Lira  of  washing  ton.  [177f. 

Added  to  this,  the  major  part  is  made  up  of  militia. 
The  most  sanguine  in  speculaiion,  cannot  deem  it 
more  than  adequate  to  the  least  valuable  purposes  of 
war."  The  whole  number,  capable  of  duty  was  short 
of  three  thousand.  Two  thirds  of  these  were  miiitia, 
whose  time  of  service  would  expire  v\  ith  the  month. 

During  the  winter  General  Spencer  planned  an 
expedition  against  the  British  troops  on  Rhode  Isl- 
and. The  Commaiider  in  Chief  advised  that  the  at- 
tempt should  not  be  made,  without  the  strongest 
probability  of  success.  The  scheme  was  relin- 
quished, and  the  General  fully  expressed  his  appro- 
bation of  it.  *'  It  is  right  not  to  risk  a  miscarnage. 
Until  we  get  our  new  army  properly  established,  it 
is  our  business  to  play  a  certain  game,  and  not  to  de- 
pend on  the  militia  for  any  thing  capital."  The 
weakness  of  General  Was  h  i  n  g  t  o  n  was  concealed 
frohi  his  friends  and  from  his  foes,  and  he  was  not 
molested  at  head  quarters  by  Sir  William  Howe. 

The  remonstrances  of  the  Commander  in  Chief 
upon  the  state  of  the  army,  had  in  some  degree  pro- 
duced their  effect  upon  Congress.  The  corps  of 
artillerists  was  increased  to  three  regiments,  and  the 
command  of  it  given  to  Colonel  Knox,  who  at  this 
time  was  promoted  to  be  a  Brigadier  General.  A  re- 
solution also  passed  Congress,  to  raise  three  thousand 
cavalry;  and  General  Washington  was  empow- 
ered to  establish  a  corps  of  engineers.  Few,  if  any, 
native  Americans  having  been  systematically  cducat- 
ed  to  this  branch  of  u  ar,  the  corps  was  principally 
formed  of  foreigners,  and  General  Du  Portail,  an  of- 
ftcer  of  distinguished  merit,  was  placed  at  its  head. 


J777.]  LIFS    or    WASHINGTON.  13f 

The  arrangement  of  the  army,  gave  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  inconceivable  trouble.  Congress, 
as  the  head  of  the  Union  regulated  the  general  mil- 
iary system  ;  but  the  governments  of  the  several 
states,  were  in  their  respective  departments  sover- 
eign. Indeed  the  states  onl}-  possessed  coercive 
power.  These  raised  their  proj-iortion  of  troops, 
and  their  agency  was  blended  with  that  of  Congress 
in  the  clothing  and  support  of  the  men.  The  state 
regulations  respecting  bounty  and  pay  were  differ- 
cnt,  and  occasioned  jealou^sies  in  the  army,  vexa- 
tious to  the  General,  and  destructive  of  subordina- 
tion and  discipline.  The  states  which  conceived 
themselves  exposed  to  the  invasion  of  the  enemy, 
discovered  an  inclination  to  direct  a  part  of  the  gene- 
ral force  to  their  security,  or  to  raise  state  battalions 
for  their  defence,  and  to  be  at  their  disposal.  Gen- 
eral Washington,  h)  his  correspondence  with  Con- 
gress, and  with  the  state  governments  represented  the 
evils  that  must  ensue,  should  any  discrimination  of 
pay  or  treatment  be  made  among  soldiers  of  the  same 
army.  He  olao  stated,  that  if  the  force  of  the  country 
should  be  placed  under  different  heads,  sufficient 
strength  could  not  be  collected  to  defend  any  one 
point  ;  and  \\hile  the  general  defence  was  weaken- 
ed, it  w'ould  be  impossible,  by  any  disposition  of 
the  army,  to  prevent  the  partial  depredations  of  the 
enemy.  These  embarrassments  were  happily  over- 
ruled by  the  personal  infiuence  of  die  General  ;  and 
before  the  campaign  opened,  tl\e  arrangements  of 
the  army  were  brought  into  order  and  method. 


140  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTOr:.  [1777. 

The  treatment  of  American  prisoners  bytheBritish 
commanders  was  another  source  of  vexation  and  dif- 
ficulty. At  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  Gen- 
eral Gage  did  not  view  the  \mericans  as  a  commu- 
nity contendiiig  for  their  constitutional  rights,  but 
as  the  revolted  subjects  of  his  royal  master,  and  the 
unhappy  men*^  whom  the  fortune  of  war  placed  in 
his  hands,  he,  without  regard  to  military  rank,  con- 
fined in  prison  as  rebels  with  common  felons.  A- 
gainst  a  practice  militating  with  common  usage,  and 
calculated  to  increase  the  miseries  of  war.  General 
Washington  forcibly  remonstrated.  In  a  letter 
to  Gen.  Gage,  he  mentioned,  that  in  his  apprehen- 
sion the  obligations  of  humanity,  and  the  claims  of 
rank  are  universally  binding,  except  in  the  case  of 
retaliation.  He  expressed  "  the  hope  he  had  enter- 
tained, that  they  would  have  induced,  on  the  part  of 
the  British  General,  a  conduct  more  conformable  to 
the  rights  they  gave.  While  he  claimed  the  bene- 
fits of  these  rights,  he  declared  his  determination  to 
be  regulated  entirely  in  his  conduct  towards  the 
prisoners  "who  should  fall  into  his  hands,  by  the 
treatment  which  those  m  the  power  of  the  British 
General  should  receive."  To  this  letter  a  very 
haughty  and  insolent  ansv/er  was  given,  in  which 
General  Gage  retorted  the  charge  of  abuse  towards 
prisoners,  and  stated,  as  a  mark  of  British  clemency, 
that  the  cord  \^  as  not  applied  to  those  of  whose  im- 
prisonment complaint  was  made.  To  this  abusive 
communication,  General  Washington  replied  in 
a  manner  worthy  his  character,  and  which  reply,  he 
observed,  was  *'  to  close  their  correspondence,  per- 


1777.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  141 

haps  forever."  He  concluded  with  saying,  "  if  your 
officers,  our  prisoners,  receive  from  me  a  treatment 
different  from  what  I  wished  to  shew  them,  they  and 
you  will  remember  the  occasion  of  it"  According- 
ly all  the  British  officers  in  his  power  were  put  into 
close  jail,  and  the  soldiers  were  confined  in  places  of 
security.  Directions  were  particularly  given  to  sub- 
altern agents,  to  explain  to  the  suffi^rers  the  causes 
which  led  to  this  severity  of  treatment. 

When  Howe  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the 
British  army,  he  admitted  American  officers  to  their 
parole,  and  consented  to  an  exchange  of  prisoners  ; 
and  General  Washington  gladly  resumed  his 
former  humane  treatment  of  captives. 

The  capture  of  General  Lee  furnished  another 
cause  of  irritation  on  this  subject.  He  had  been  a 
British  officer,  and  had  engaged  in  the  American  ser- 
vice before  the  acceptance  of  the  resignation  of  his 
commission.  Sir  William  Howe  for  this  reason 
pretended  to  view  him  as  a  traitor,  and  at  first  refus- 
ed to  admit  him  to  his  parole,  or  to  consider  him  as 
a  subject  of  exchange.  Congress  directed  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  to  propose  to  Sir  William  Howe  to 
exchange  six  field  officers  for  General  Lee.  In  case 
the  proposal  was  rejected,  that  body  resolved,  that 
these  officers  should  be  closely  confined,  and  in  ev- 
ery respect  receive  the  treatment  that  General  Lee 
did.  The  proposition  not  being  acceded  to,  the 
resolution  of  Congress  was  carried  into  effect,  by  the 
Executives  of  the  States,  in  whose  custody  the  se- 
lected field  officers  were,  with  a  degree  of  severity 
:vhich  the  treatment  of  General  Lee  did  not  warrant. 


142  LIFE    or    WASHINGTOM.  [1777, 

The  general  plan  of  retaliation,  adopted  by  Con- 
gress ft)r  abuses  offered  to  Americans  in  the  power 
oftheBriiish,  the  sound  judgment  of  General  Wash- 
ington conceived  to  be  unjust  and  impolitick,  and 
his  humane  heart  relucted  to  execute  it.  Some  of 
the  resolutions  of  that  honourable  body,  on  this  sub- 
ject, he  thought  exposed  his  own  honour  to  impeach- 
ment by  Sir  William  Howe.  Against  those  reso- 
lutions, he  pointedly  remonstrated,  and  detailed  the 
evils  they  were  calculated  to  produce  to  tlie  nation, 
and  to  the  Americans,  prisoners  with  the  British. 
His  representations  through  a  long  period,  had  not 
their  due  effect  ;  but  eventually  Congress  was  con- 
strained to  adopt  the  measures  he  recommended. 

Hesolvlng  never  himself  to  aggravate  the  mise- 
ries of  war,  by  wanton  deeds  of  cruelty.  General 
Washington  was  disposed  to  adopt  and  execute 
those  luws  of  retaliation,  which  would  constrain  the 
enemy  to  conduct  their  military  operations  in  the 
spirit  of  humanity.  Repeated  and  heavy  complaints 
were  made  of  the  cruel  treatment  which  the  Ameri- 
can prisoners  received  in  New  York  ;  and  the  sick- 
ly and  debilitated  state  of  tliose,  ^vho  were  sent  out 
to  be  exchanged,  confirmed  the  truth  of  the  charge. 
Many  of  them  fainted  and  died  before  they  reached 
head  quarteis.  General  Howe  demanded  that  all 
prisoners,  delivered  at  the  lines  to  an  American  offi- 
cer, should  be  accounted  for  in  the  cartel,  and  British 
soldiers  returned  to  the  full  amount.  General  Wash- 
ington absolutel}^  refused  to  reckon  those  wbodied 
on  their  way  to  the  American  camp  ;  and  he  un- 
weariedly  exerted  himself  to  correct   the  abuse  to 


1777.3  ^^^^    O^    WASHINGTON.  14S 

American  prisoners.  In  the  beginning  of  April  this 
year,  he  wrote  Sir  William  Howe,  "  It  is  a  fact  not 
to  be  questioned,  that  the  usage  of  our  prisoners 
while  in  your  possession,  the  privates  at  least,  was 
such  as  could  not  be  justified.  This  was  proclaim- 
ed by  the  concurrent  testimony  of  all  who  came  out, 
their  appearance  sanctified  the  assertion,  and  melan- 
choly experience,  in  the  speedy  death  of  a  large  part 
of  them,  stamped  it  with  infallible  certainty."  These 
measures  induced  ihe  enemy  to  a  more  humane 
treatment  of  their  prisoners ;  but  disputes  on  the 
subject  prevented  the  establishment  of  a  regular  car^ 
tel  until  a  late  period  of  the  war. 

Ill  March  the  enemy  sent  cut  tuo  dctachraent:s 
to  destroy  the  American  stores  at  Peck's  Kill  on 
the  North  River,  and  at  Danbury  in  Connecticut. 
Both  succeeded  in  their  attempt ;  and  although  the 
stores  destroyed  did  not  equal  in  quantit^^  the  report 
on  which  the  expeditions  were  planned,  yet  their 
loss  was  sensibly  felt  by  the  Americans  in  the  active 
season  of  the  campaign. 

In  the  near  approach  (jf  aclivc  operations,  Con- 
gress resolved,  that  a  camp  should  be  formed  on  the 
western  side  of  Philadelphia.  General  Washing- 
ton had  already  adopted  his  plan  for  the  campaign, 
and  requested  that  this  camp,  if  formed,  should  con. 
sist  wholly  of  militia.  In  the  expectation  that  Sir 
William  Howe  would  cither  attempt  to  gain  posses*, 
sion  of  the  High  lands  on  North  river,  and  coop- 
erate with  General  Burgoyne  from  Canada  ;  or,  re- 
new the  plan  of  the  last  campaign,  to  march  through 
New  Jersey  for  Philadelphia,  the  General  determin- 


144  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1777, 

ed  to  post  his  army  upon  the  strong  ground  in  New 
Jersey,  north  of  the  road  througli  Brunswick,  to 
Philadelphia.  In  this  position  he  might  protect  Phi- 
ladelphia, and  a  great  part  of  New  Jersey.  The 
situation  was  also  favourable  to  defend  the  passes 
and  forts  on  the  North  river.  To  this  post  he  wish- 
ed to  collect  a  force  sufficient  to  repel  an  assault  from 
General  Howe.  In  the  location  of  his  army,  the 
General  had  another  object  of  magnitude  upon  his 
mind.  In  his  opinion  it  was  uncertain  whether 
General  Burgoyne  would  by  sea  join  Sir  William 
Howe,  or  retaining  a  separate  command,  attempt  the 
conquest  of  Ticonderoga,  and  an  impression  upon 
the  Hudson.  Which  of  these  measures  would  be 
pursued,  he  could  not  determine,  until  the  plans  of 
the  enemy  were  unfolded.  To  guard  against  both, 
he  ordered  the  troops  raised  north  of  the  Hudson  to 
be  divided  between  Ticonderoga  and  Peck's  Kill, 
and  those  south  including  North  Carolina  to  be  sta- 
tioned in  New  Jersey.  The  troops  of  South  Caro- 
lina and  Georgia  were  left  for  their  own  defence. 
By  this  disposition  of  his  forces,  the  General  was  in 
a  situation  to  reinforce  Ticonderoga  from  Peck's 
Kill,  should  Burgoyne  attack  that  post,  or  reinforce 
his  own  army  from  those  posts,  should  Burgoyne 
join  Sir  William  Howe. 

In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  on  the  last  of  May,  the 
winter  encampment  at  Morristown  uas  broken  up, 
and  a  camp  formed  at  Middiebrook,  about  ten  miles 
from  Brunswick.  The  position  naturally  stroi  g, 
was  strengthened  by  entrenchments.  The  weak 
$tate  of  the  American  army  required  for  its  safety 


1777.]  tlFii     OF    WASHINGTON.  145 

every  advantage  of  ground,  as  well  as  the  utmost 
caution  of  the  General.  On  the  20th  of  May,  the 
troops  in  New  Jersey,  exclusive  of  cavalry  and  ar- 
tillery, amounted  only  to  eight  thousand  three  hun- 
dred and  seventy  eight  men,  of  v^  horn  more  than 
two  thousand  were  sick.  The  troops  of  North  Car- 
olina had  not  then  joined  the  army,  and  about  fivei 
hundred  of  the  militia  of  Jersey  were  not  included 
in  the  estimate.  This  force  was  in  numbers  much 
inferior  to  the  army  commanded  by  Sir  WiHiam 
Howe,  and  many  of  the  Americans  were  recruitSj 
who  had  never  faced  an  enemy. 

Sir  William  having  collected  his  force  at  Bruns- 
wick, about  the  middle  of  June,  marched  in  two 
columns  towards  the  Delaware.  By  this  move- 
ment, he  expected  to  induce  General  Washing- 
ton to  quit  his  fortified  camp  to  oppose  the  enemy '3 
passage  of  the  river,  and  that  a  general  engagement 
would,  in  consequence,  take  place  on  ground  favour- 
able to  the  British  commander;  General  Wash- 
ington was  not  ensnared  by  this  stratagem.  In  a 
letter  written  at  the  moment,  his  apprehensions  of 
this  manoeuvre  are  thus  conveyed.  "The  views 
of  the  enemy,  must  be  to  destroy  this  army  and  get 
possession  of  Philadelphia.  I  am,  however,  clearly 
of  opinion  that  they  will  not  move  that  way,  until 
they  have  endeavoured  to  give  a  severe  blow^  to  tliis 
army.  The  risk  would  be  too  great  to  attempt  to 
cross  a  river  ;  when  they  must  expect  to  meet  a 
formidable  opposition  in  fronts  and  would  have  such 
a  force  as  ours  in  the  rear.  They  might  possibly  be 
successful,  but  the  probability  would  be  infinitely  a- 


146  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1777, 

gainst  them.  Should  they  be  imprudent  enough  to 
make  the  attempt,  I  sholl  keep  close  upon  tiicir  heels, 
and  will  do  every  thing  in  my  power  to  make  the 
project  f  ttal  to  them." 

*'  But  besides  the  argument  in  favour  of  their  in- 
tending, in  the  first  place,  a  stroke  at  this  army, 
drawn  from  the  policy  of  the  measure,  every  appear- 
ance contributes  to  confirm  the  opinion.  Had  their 
design  been  for  the  Delaware,  in  ihe  first  instance, 
they  would  probably  have  made  a  secret,  rapid 
march  for  it,  and  not  have  halted  so  as  to  awaken 
our  attention,  and  give  us  time  to  prepare  for  ob- 
structing them.  Instead  of  that,  thty  have  only  ad- 
vanced to  a  position  necessary  to  facilitate  an  attack 
on  our  right,  the  part  in  ^\hich  we  are  most  exposed. 
In  addition  to  this  circumstance,  they  have  come 
out  as  light  as  possible  ;  leaving  all  their  baggage, 
provisions,  boats,  and  bridges  at  Brunswick.  This 
plainly  contradicts  the  idea  of  their  intending  to  push 
for  the  Delaware." 

When  the  British  army  was  collected  at  Bruns- 
wick, General  Washington  knowing  that  the 
High  lands  on  the  Hudson  were  not  exposed,  while 
the  enemy  held  that  position,  ordered  a  large  detach- 
ment from  Peck's  Kill  to  Middlebrook,  and  he  de- 
termined to  defend  himself  in  this  post. 

Finding  that  his  opponent  could  not  be  ma- 
noeuvred out  of  hi»  fortified  camp,  the  British  com- 
mander drew  back  his  troops  to  Staten  Island,  with 
the  desiiz;n  to  embark  ihern  for  the  Delaware  or  the 
Chesapeak. 


1777.3  ^^^^    °^     WASHINST0N.  147 

While  these  mancEuvres  were  displaying  in  New 
Jersey,  intelligence  was  received,  that  General  Bur^ 
goyne,  with  a  powerful  body  of  troops  was  on  the 
Lakes,  approaching  Ticonderoga.  General  Wash- 
ington immediately  forwarded  large  reinforce- 
ments to  the  Northern  armj*. 

Soon  after  the  British  transports  sailed  out  of  the 
harbour  of  New  York,  an  intercepted  letter  from 
General  Howe  to  General  Burgoyne  was  put  into 
the  hands  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  which  con- 
tained the  information  that,  '*  He  was  exhibiting 
the  appearance  of  moving  to  the  Southward,  while 
his  real  intent  was  against  Boston,  from  whence 
he  would  cooperate  with  the  army  of  Canada." 
General  Washington  viewing  this  letter  as  a 
finesse,  paid  no  regard  to  it. 

The  policy  of  cooperating  on  the  North  river  widi 
the  army  of  Canada,  was  so  evident  to  the  military 
mind  of  the  General,  that  he  conceived  the  movement 
of  Howe  to  be  a  feint,  debig;ned  to  draw  away  the 
American  army,  that  the  British  forces  might  sud- 
denly ascend  the  Hudson,  and  seize  the  passes  in  the 
mountains,  he  therefore  moved  his  troops  to  the 
neighbourhood  of  those  heights,  and  there  waited 
the  issue  of  Sir  William's  manoeuvre« 

When  the  apprehension  of  a  sudden  attack  upon 
the  American  works  on  the  North  river,  was  remov- 
ed by  the  length  of  time  Sir  William  Howe  had  been 
at  sea,  General  Washington  marched  his  army 
by  divisions  to  places,  which  he  thought  the  most 
favourable  to  defend  points  the  enemy  might  attack/ 


!!L48  LIFE  or  Washington.  [177T. 

While  waiting  the  evolution  of  the  enemy's  plan 
of  the  campaign,  General  Washington  surve^^ed 
the  ground  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Philadelphia, 
that  he  might  be  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
probable  scene  of  approaching  military  operations. 
On  a  critical  examination  of  the  fortifications  on  the 
Delaware,  he  advised  Congress  to  confine  the  de- 
fence of  the  river  to  Mud  Island  and  Red  Bank, 
because  the  forqe  for  defence, collected  at  these  points 
would  produce  more  effect,  than  it  could,  divided 
upon  different  parts  of  the  river. 

The  American  army  remained  quietly  in  its  po- 
sition until  the  21st  of  August.  By  this  time  Gen- 
eral Washington  apprehended  that  General  Howe 
had  proceeded  to  Charleston  South  Carolina,  and  he 
knew  that  the  attempt  to  follow  him  to  that  place 
would  be  useless.  He  therefore  resolved  to  move 
his  army  to  the  North  river,  to  assail  the  enemy  at 
New  York,  or  to  join  the  northern  army  and  oppose 
Burgoyne.  But  on  the  very  day  on  which  orders 
to  this  purpose  vvere  issued,  intelligence  reached  him. 
that  Sir  William  had  entered  the  Chesapeak,  and 
was  approaching  its  head.  He  had  spent  more  than 
twenty  days  in  his  passage,  and  on  the  25th  of  Au- 
gust, landed  without  opposition  at  Turkey  Point,  in 
Maryland.  His  force  amounted  to  eighteen  thous- 
and men,  abundantly  furnished  with  every  article  of 
warfare. 

As  soon  as  General  Washington  was  apprized 
of  the  destination  of  the  British  General,  he  put  his 
army  in  motion  to  meet  him.  He  marched  through 
Philadelphia,  that  a  sight  of  his  forces  might  mak? 


17T7.]  UFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  149 

impressions  on  the  minds  of  those  citizens,  who 
were  hostile  to  the  American  cause.  The  effective 
force  of  General  Washington  did  not  exceed 
eleven  thousand  men.  The  militia,  on  this  occa- 
sion turned  out  in  considerable  numbers,  but  the 
want  of  arms  rendered  the  services  of  many  of  them 
useless. 

On  the  3d  of  September,  the  hostile  armies  ap- 
proached  each  other.  General  Washington,  not 
being  in  force  to  contend  with  his  foe  in  the  open 
field,  could  only  harass  his  line  of  march,  with 
light  troops  and  cavalry,  and  pick  up  stragglers  from 
his  camp.  As  the  Royal  troops  advanced,  Sir  Wil- 
liam manoeuvred  to  gain  the  right  wing  of  the 
American  army.  General  Washington,  to  coun- 
teract his  design,  continued  to  fall  back,  until  he 
crossed  the  Brandywine  river  at  Chadd's  ford. 
Here  he  made  a  stand  to  dispute  its  passage  by  the 
British. 

The  opinion  of  Congress,  and  the  general  senti^ 
ment  of  the  country,  imposed  on  the  General  the 
necessity,  of  hazarding  a  general  action  at  this  place, 
for  the  defence  of  Philadelphia. 

Early  in  the  morning,  information  was 
^^^*  *  brought  to  the  Commander  in  Chief  that, 
the  British  army  was  advancing  in  the  road  to 
Chadd's  ford,  and  he  immediately  prepared  to  dis- 
pute the  passage  of  the  river.  By  ten  o'clock  the 
light  troops  were  driven  over  the  river  to  the  main 
body  of  the  American  army,  and  it  was  every  mo- 
Itient  expected  that  the  German  General  Knyphau- 
scn  would  attempt  to  force  a  passage.     About  noon, 


150  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.       [1777^ 

intelligence  was  communicater!  to  the  General,  that 
a  large  column  of  the  cnem)-,  with  a  number  of  field 
pieces,  had  marched  up  the  country,  and  fallen  into 
the  road  which  crosses  the  Brandy  wine  above  its 
forks. 

Satisfied  of  the  correctness  of  this  intelligence, 
he  detached  the  right  wing  of  his  army  to  attack 
the  left  of  this  column,  as  it  marched  down  the 
north  side  of  the  Brandywine,  intending  himself, 
with  the  centre  and  left  wing,  to  recross  the  river, 
and  attack  the  division  of  the  enemy  at  Chadd's  ford. 
While  issuing  orders  for  the  execution  of  this  dar- 
ing plan,  the  first  intelligence  was  contradicted^ 
and  the  geneml  was  informed,  that  the  move- 
ment of  the  column  towards  the  forks  was  a  feint^ 
and  that  instead  of  crossing  the  river  at  that  place, 
it  had  rejoined  the  German  troops  at  Chadd's  ford. 
Under  the  uncertainty,  which  this  contradictory  in- 
telligence produced,  the  General  prudently  relin- 
quished his  design. 

About  two  o'clock,  it  was  ascertained,  that  Sir 
William  Howe  in  person  had  crossed  the  Brandy- 
wine  at  the  forks,  and  was  rapidly  marching  down 
the  North  side  of  the  river,  to  attack  the  American 
army.  The  Commander  in  Chief,  now  ordered 
General  Sullivan  to  form  the  right  wing  to  oppose 
the  column  of  Sir  William.  General  Wayne  was 
directed  to  remain  at  Chadd's  ford  with  the  left 
wing,  to  dispute  the  passage  of  the  river  with  Knyp- 
hausen.  General  Green,  with  his  division,  %\as 
posted  as  a  reserve  in  the  centre  between  Sullivan 
and  Wayne,  to  reinforce  either,  as  circumstances 


1777.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTOlf.  151 

might  require.  General  Sullivan  marched  up  the 
river,  until  he  found  favourable  ground,  on  which 
to  form  his  men  ;  his  left  was  near  the  Brandyuine, 
and  both  flanks  were  covered  with  thick  wood.  At 
half  past  four,  o'clock,  when  his  line  was  scarcely 
formed,  the  British,  under  Lord  Cornwallis,  com- 
menced a  spirited  attack.  The  action  was  for  some 
time  severe  ;  but  the  Amcican  right,  which  was  not 
properly  in  order  when  the  assault  began,  at  length 
gave  way,  and  exposed  the  flank  of  the  troops  that 
maintained  their  ground,  to  a  destructive  fire,  and 
continuing  to  break  from  the  right,  the  whole  line 
finally  gave  way. 

As  soon  as  the  firing  began.  General  Washing- 
ton, with  General  Green's  division,  hastened  to- 
wards the  scene  of  action,  but  before  his  arrival, 
Sullivan  was  routed,  and  the  Commander  in  Chief 
could  only  check  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and  cov- 
er the  retreat  of  the  beaten  troops. 

During  these  transactions  General  Knyphausea 
assaulted  the  works  erected  for  the  defence  of  Chadd^s 
ford,  and  soon  carried  them.  General  Wayne, 
by  this  time  learning  the  fate  of  the  other  divisions, 
drew  off  his  troops.  General  Washington  re- 
treated, with  his  whole  force  that  night  to  Chester. 
The  American  loss  in  this  battle  was  about  three 
hundred  killed,  and  six  hundred  wounded.  Four 
hundred  w  ere  made  prisoners,  but  these  chiefly  of 
the  wounded. 

Many  of  the  regiments  of  inllintry,  and  the  whole 
corps  of  artillery,  on  this  occasion,  exhibited  the 
firmness  and  persevering  courage  that  would  have 


152  LIFE    Of     WASHtNGfOM^.  (]l77f. 

honoured  veteran  troops.  A  few  corps  gave  way, 
as  soon  as  pressed  by  the  enemy,  and  their  deficien- 
cy exposed  those  who  bravely  did  their  duty.  Gen- 
eral Howe  stated  his  loss,  in  this  action  at  one  hun- 
dred killed  and  four  hundred  wounded. 

The  defeat  of  Brandy  wine  produced  no  depres- 
sion of  spirits  upon  Congress,  the  army,  or  the  coun- 
try. Measures  were  immediately  taken  to  reinforce 
the  army.  Fifteen  hundred  men  were  marched  from 
Peck^s  Kill,  and  large  detachments  of  militia  order- 
ed into  the  field.  The  Commander  in  Chief  was 
empowered  to  impress  all  horses,  waggons  and  pro- 
visions necessary  for  the  army^  In  orders,  the 
General  expressed  his  high  satisfaction  at  the  behav- 
iour of  the  body  of  his  army  in  the  late  engagement. 
Having  allowed  his  troops  a  short  repose,  he  faced 
about  to  meet  the  enemy,  fully  resolved  to  try  his 
fortune  in  a  general  action,  before  he  resigned  Phi- 
ladelphia to  the  Royal  commander. 

General  Washington,  perceiving  that 
^^^*  *  the  enemy  were  moving  into  the  Lancas- 
ter road,  towards  the  city,  took  possession  of  ground 
near  the  Warren  tavern,  on  the  left  of  the  British, 
and  twenty  tliree  miles  from  Philadelphia.  The  pro- 
tection of  his  stores  at  Reading  was  one  object  of 
this  movement.  The  next  morning  he  was  inform- 
ed of  the  approach  of  the  British  army.  He  imme- 
diately put  his  troops  in  motion  to  engage  the  ene- 
my. The  advance  of  the  two  hostile  armies  met 
and  began  to  skirmish,  when  rain  fell,  and  soon 
increased  to  a  violent  storm.  This  providentially 
prevented  a  general  engagement,  and  rendered  the 


1777.]  LIFE    OF    V/ASHINGTON.  153 

retreat  of  the  Americans  absolutely  necessary. 
The  inferiority  of  the  muskets  in  the  hands  of  the 
American  soldiery,  which  had  been  verified  in  ev- 
ery action,  was  strikingly  illustrated  in  this  re- 
treat. The  gun  locks  were  baclly  made,  and  the 
cartridge  boxes  imperfectly  constructed  ;  and  this 
storm  rendered  most  of  the  arms  unfit  for  use  ;  and 
all  the  ammunition  was  damaged.  The  army  was 
of  consequence  extremely  exposed,  and  their  dan- 
ger became  the  greater,  as  many  of  the  soldiers  were 
destitute  of  bayonets.  Fortunately  the  tempest, 
which  produced  such  serious  mischief  to  the  Amer- 
icans, prevented  the  pursuit  of  the  British. 

General  WASHi>fCTO>r,  finding  his  troops  un- 
fitted for  action,  relinquished,  from  necessity,  the 
immediate  intention  of  a  battle,  and  continued  his 
retreat  through  the  day,  and  most  of  the  night,  a- 
midst  a  cold  and  tempestuous  rain,  and  in  very  deep 
roads.  On  a  full  discovery  of  the  extent  of  the 
damage  to  the  arms  and  ammunition,  the  General 
ascended  the  Schuylkill,  and  crossed  it  at  Warwick 
furnace,  to  obtain  a  fresh  supply  of  ammunition,  and 
to  refit  or  replace  the  defective  muskets.  He  still 
resolved  to  risk  a  general  engagement,  for  the  safety 
of  the  capital.  He  recrossed  the  Schuyl- 
^^^"  •  kill  at  Parker's  ferry,  and  encamped  east 
of  that  river,  on  both  sides  of  Parky omy  creek,  and 
detachments  were  posted  at  the  difierent  fords,  at 
which  the  enemy  might  attempt  to  force  a  passage. 
As  the  British  army  approached  the  river,  General 
Washington  posted  his  army  in  their  front;  but, 
instead  of  forcing  a  passage,  Sir  William  moved 
w 


154  LITE    or    WASHINGTON.  [177T. 

rapidly  up  the  road  towards  Reading.  The  Ameri- 
can Commander,  bupposing  that  his  object  was  to 
destroy  the  military  stores  at  that  place,  and  to  turn 
the  right  flank  of  the  American  army,  marched  up 
the  river  to  Pottsgrove,  leaving  the  lov^  er  road  to 
the  city  open  to  his  antagonist.  Sir  William  Howe 
availed  himself  of  the  opportunity,  and  on  the  26th, 
entered  Philadelphia  in  triumph. 

General  Washing  ton  had  seasonably  taken  the 
precaution  to  remove-the  publick  stores  from  the  city, 
and  to  secure  for  the  use  of  the  army,  those  articles 
of  merchandize,  w  hich  their  wants  rendered  of  prima- 
ry necessity.  Colonel  Hamilton,  then  one  of  General 
Washington's  aids,  luid  been  sent  into  the  city 
on  this  important  business.  By  his  instructions  he 
was  directed  to  proceed  in  his  requisitions  upon  the 
stores  and  shops  of  Philadelphia  cautiously  but  ef- 
fectually. "  Your  own  prudence  will  point  out  the 
least  exceptionable  means  to  be  pursued,  but  remem- 
ber delicacy,  and  a  strict  adherence  to  the  ordinary 
mode  of  application,  must  give  place  to  our  necessi- 
ties. We  must,  if  possible,  accommodate  the  sol- 
diers with  such  articles  as  they  stand  in  need  of;  or 
we  shall  have  just  reason  to  apprehend  the  most  in- 
jurious and  alarming  consequences  from  the  ap- 
proaching season." 

From  the  landing  of  the  British  army  at  the  head 
of  the  Elk,  on  the  25th  of  August,  to  the  26ih  of 
September,  when  they  entered  Philadelphia,  the 
American  troops  had  encountered  a  continued  series 
of  active  operations,  and  the  duty  of  the  General  was 
complicated  and  arduous.     During  this  time,  the 


1777.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINSTON.  155 

soldiers  were  destitute  of  baggage,  insufficiently 
supplied  with  provisions,  and  deprived  of  the  com- 
forts that  administer  to  ihe  support  of  the  human 
frame  under  severe  fatigue.  Without  covering, 
they  were  exposed  to  heavy  rains,  and  obliged  ta 
march,  many  of  them  without  shoes,  in  deep  roads, 
and  to  ford  considerable  streams. 

The  best  British  writers,  who  have  given  us  an 
history  of  the  revolutionary  war,  highly  applaud  the 
generalship  of  Sir  William  Howe  in  this  part  of  the 
campaign.  Can  they  then  withhold  applause  from 
the  American  Commander,  who  manoeuvred  an  in- 
feriour  army  in  the  face  of  the  British  General,  and 
detained  him  thirty  days,  in  marching  sixty  miles, 
from  the  head  of  Elk  river  to  Philadelphia,  in  a  coun- 
try, in  which  there  was  not  one  fortified  post,  nor  zi 
stream  that  might  not,  at  this  season  be  every  where 
forded  ;  who  fought  one  battle,  and  although  beat- 
en, in  five  days  again  faced  his  enemy  with  the  in- 
tention to  risk  a  general  engagement  ;  who,  when 
in  the  moment  of  action,  was  providentially  necessir 
tated  to  retreat,  w  ith  muskets  and  ammunition  un- 
fit for  use,  extricated  himself  from  his  perilous  sit- 
uation and  once  more  placed  himself  in  front  of  the 
invading  foe ;  who  at  last  was  induced  to  open  the 
Philadelphia  road  to  the  British  General,  not  because 
he  was  beaten  in  the  field,  but  through  the  influence 
of  circumstances,  which  no  military  address  could 
counteract. 

Four  regiments  of  grenadiers  were  posted  in 
Philadelphia,  and  the  other  corps  of  the  British  ar- 
my were  cantoned  at  Germantown.      The  first  ob-r 


156  EirE    Ot    WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

ject  of  Sir  William  was  to  subdue  the  defences  and 
remove  the  impediments  of  the  Delaware,  that  a 
communication  might  be  opened  with  the  British 
shipping.  General  Washington  made  every  ef- 
fort to  prevent  the  execution  of  the  enemy's  design, 
in  the  hope  of  forcing  General  Howe  out  of  Phila- 
delphia, by  preventing  supplies  of  provisions  from 
reaching  him.  Of  the  attainment  of  this  important 
object,  he  had  no  doubt,  could  the  passage  of  the 
Delaware  be  rendered  impracticable.  To  this  pur- 
pose works  had  been  erected  on  a  bank  of  mud  and 
sand  in  the  river,  near  the  confluence  of  the  SchuyU 
kill,  and  about  seven  miles  below  Philadelphia. 
The  place,  from  these  works,  was  denominated 
Fort  Island,  and  the  works  themselves  Fort  Mifflin, 
On  a  neck  of  land  on  the  opposite  shore  of  New 
Jersey,  called  Red  Bank,  a  fort  was  constructed  and 
mounted  with  heavy  artillery,  and  called  Fort  Mer- 
cer. Fort  Island  and  Red  Bank,  were  distant  from 
each  other  half  a  mile.  In  the  channel  of  the  Dela- 
ware, which  ran  between  them,  two  ranges  of  Che- 
vauxdefrise  were  sunk.  These  consisted  of  large 
pieces  of  timber,  strongly  framed  together,  and 
pointed  with  iron,  and  they  completely  obstructed 
the  passage  of  ships.  These  works  were  covered 
by  several  gallics,  floating-  batteries  and  armed  ships. 
Sir  William  Howe  having  detached  a  consider- 
able force  from  Germantown  to  operate  against  the 
works  on  the  Delaware,  General  Washington 
thought  this  a  favourable  opportunity  to  attack  the 
British  army  in  their  cantonments.  The  line  of  the 
British  encampment  crossed  the  village  of  German- 


1777.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  157 

town  at  right  angles,  near  its  centre ;  and  its  flanks 
were  strongly  covered. 

General  Washington  now  commanded  a  force 
consisting  of  about  eight  thousand  continental  troops 
and  three  thousand  militia.  The  General's  plan  was 
to  attack  both  wings  of  the  enemy  in  front,  and  rear 
at  the  same  time.  The  arrangements  having  been 
made,  the  army  was  moved  near  the  scene  of  action 
on  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  October.  The  divis- 
ions of  Sullivan  and  Wayne,  flanked  by  Conway's 
Brigade,  were  to  enter  Germantown  by  the  way  of 
Chesnut  Hill,  and  attack  the  left  wing  of  the  British. 
General  Armstrong  with  the  Pennsylvania  militia 
was  ordered  to  fall  down  the  Manatawny  road,  and 
turning  the  British  left  flank,  attack  its  rear.  The 
divisions  of  Green  and  Stephen,  flanked  by  M'Dou- 
gal's  Brigade,  were  to  take  a  circuit  by  the  way  of  the 
Limekiln  road,  and  entering  at  the  market  house,  at- 
tacked the  right  wing.  The  militia  of  Maryland 
and  New  Jersey,  under  General  Smallwood  and 
General  Forman,  were  to  march  down  the  old  York 
road,  and  fall  upon  the  rear  of  the  British  right. 
The  division  of  Lord  Sterling,  and  the  brigades  of 
Nash  and  Maxwell  were  to  form  a  corps  de  reserve. 
About  sunrise  the  next  morning,  the 
^^'  '  front  of  General  Sullivan's  column,  which 
the  Commander  in  Chief  accompanied,  drove  in  the 
British  picket  at  Mount  Airy.  The  main  body  of 
this  division  soon  engaged  the  British  light  infantry 
and  the  fortieth  regiment  of  foot,  and  obliged  them 
to  give  way,  leaving  all  their  baggage  behind.  Gen- 
eral Green  in  half  an  hour  after  Sullivan  reached  the 


158  LIFE     or    WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

ground  of  action,  attacked  and  drove  in  the  troops 
in  front  of  the  right  wing  oftheenemv.  Several 
brigades  of  Sullivan's  and  of  Green's  divisions  pen- 
etrated the  town.  The  enemy  appeared  to  be  sur- 
prised, and  a  fair  prospect  of  eventual  success  in  the 
assault  presented  itself  to  the  mind  of  the  American 
General. 

The  flattering  expectations,  which  the  success- 
ful commencement  of  the  enterprise  excited,  were 
soon  succeeded  by  disappointment  and  mortification. 
As  the  British  retreated  before  General  Sullivan's  di- 
vision, Colonel  Musgrave  took  post  with  six  compa- 
nies of  light  troops  in  a  stone  house,  from  which  he 
severely  galled  the  Americans  in  their  advance.  At- 
temp':s  were  made  to  dislodge  him,  but  they  proved 
ineffectual  and  the  American  line  was  checked  and 
flung  into  disorder.  The  morning  being  extreme- 
ly foggy,  the  Americans  could  neither  perceive  the 
isituation  of  the  enemy,  nor  take  advantage  of  their 
own  success.  The  ground  to  which  some  of  the 
British  corps  were  pursued  had  many  inclosures, 
which  broke  the  American  line  of  march,  and  some 
of  the  regiments,  in  their  ardour  to  push  forward, 
separated  from  their  brigades,  were  surrounded  and 
taken  prisoners.  In  the  moment  of  supposed  victo- 
ry, the  troops  retreated,  and  the  efforts  of  their  Gen- 
erals to  rally  them,  were  fruitless.  The  militia  were 
never  seriously  brought  into  action.  General  Wash- 
in  g  ton,  perceiving  that  victory,  had  on  this  occa- 
sion, eluded  his  grasp,  contented  himself  with  a  safe 
and  honourable  retreat. 


1777.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  159 

In  this  bold  assault,  two  hundied  Americans  were 
killed,  six  hundred  wounded,  and  four  hundred  tak- 
en prisoners.  Among  the  killed  was  Brigadier 
General  Nash.  The  l^ritish  loss  was  one  hundred  kil- 
led and  four  hundred  wounded.  Among  the  killed 
were  Brigadier  Agnevv  and  Colonel  Bird.  This 
enterprise,  as  far  as  the  Commander  in  Chief  was 
conceriied  in  it,  was  honourable.  Its  ultimate  fail- 
ure must  be  attributed  to  the  want  of  discipline  and 
experience  in  his  men.  Congress  fully  approved  of 
the  plan,  of  this  assault,  and  applauded  the  courage 
displayed  in  its  execution.  They  voted  their  thanks  ' 
to  the  General,  and  to  the  army. 

The  works  in  the  Delav^  are  now  engaged  the  at- 
tention of  the  British  and  American  Generals.  Sir 
William  Howe  broke  up  his  encampment  at  Ger- 
mantown,  and  moved  his  w  hole  army  into  Philadel- 
phia. General  Washing  fon  placed  confidential 
garrisons  in  Port  Mercer  at  Red  Bank,  and  in  Fort 
Mifflin  en  Mud  Island,  but  he  had  not  a  force  equal 
to  their  complete  defence.  He  appointed  detach- 
ments to  intercept  the  transportation  of  provisions 
from  the  British  ships  below  the  American  works 
to  Philadelphia.  He  called  upon  the  government  of 
New  Jersey  to  turn  out  the  militia  of  that  state,  to 
form  a  camp  in  the  rear  of  Red  Bank  ;  and  he  set 
patroles  of  militia  on  the  roads  leading  to  Philadel- 
phia, both  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  to  pre-  ' 
vent  the  disaffected  inhabitants  from  carrying  their 
articles  into  the  market  of  Philadelphia.  To  avail 
himself  of  any  flivourablc  opportunity  to  annoy  the 
enemy,  he  moved  his  army  to  White  Marsh,  dis- 
tant only  fifteen  miles  from  the  city. 


160  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1777* 

Lord  Howe,  by  continued  exertion,  having  over- 
come the  obstructions,  which  the  Americans  had 
placed  in  the  river  at  Billingsport,  a  joint  attack  by- 
sea  and  land  was  planned  against  Red  Bank  and  Fort 
Island.      The  Augusta^  a  sixty  four  gun  ship,  the 
Merlin  frigate,  and  several  small  armed  vessels  mov- 
ed up  the  Delaware  to  assault  the  works  on  Fort  or 
Mud  Island.     Count  Donop  crossed  into  New  Jer- 
sey with  twelve  hundred  Germans,  and  in  the  even- 
ing of  the  22d  appeared  before  Fort  Mer- 
^  ''•    "•    cer,  on  Red  Bank.     His  assault  was  high- 
ly spirited,  and  the  defence  intrepid  and  obstinate. 
Colonel  Green  the  commandant,  whose  garrison  did 
not  exceed  five  hundred  men,  was  unable  to  man 
the  out  works.      From  these  he  galled  the  Germans 
in  their  advance,  and  on  their  near  approach  he  quit- 
ted them,  and  retired  within  the  inner  intrenchments. 
The  enemy  pressed  forward  with  undaunted  bravery, 
and  the  Americans  poured  upon  them  a  deadly  fire. 
Count  Donop  was  himself  mortally  wounded  at  the 
head  of  his  gallant  corps  ;  the  second  in  command 
soon  after  fell,  and  the  third  immediately  drew  off 
his  forces.     The  assailants  had  four  hundred  men 
killed  and  wounded.      The  garrison  fighting  under 
cover,  had  only  thirty  killed  and  wounded.  Had  the 
camp  of  militia  been  formed  in  the  rear  of  Red  Bank, 
agreeably  to  General  Washington's  desire,  this 
whole  corps  would  probably  have  been  made  pris- 
oners. 

In  the  mean  time.  Fort  Mifflin  was  attacked  by 
the  shipping,  and  by  batteries  erected  on  the  Penn- 
sylvania shore.    Incessant  voUies  of  bombs  and  can- 


1777.]  LifE    OF    WASHINGtOW.  161 

iion  balls  were  discharged  upon  it.  But  at  ebb  tide 
the  Augusta  and  Merlin  grounded,  and  were  burnt. 
The  garrison  supported  this  tremendous  fire  with- 
out material  injury. 

The  resistance  of  the  forts  on  the  Delaware  far 
exceeding  the  expectations  of  the  British  command- 
ers, they  adopted  measures  to  overcome  it,  without 
the  hazard  of  a  second  assault.  They  erected  batte- 
ries upon  Province  Island,  within  five  hundred  yards 
of  the  American  fort.  They  also  brought  up  their 
shipping,  gun  boats  &c.  and  from  the  10th  to  the  16th 
of  November,  battered  the  American  works.  By 
this  time  the  defences  were  entirely  beat  down, 
every  piece  of  cannon  was  dismounted,  and  one  of 
the  ships  approached  so  near  Fort  Mifflin  as  to  throw 
hand  grenades  from  her  tops  into  it,  which  killed 
tnen  upon  the  platform.  The  brave  garrison  re- 
ceived orders  to  quit  the  post.  Red  Bank  being  no 
longer  useful,  its  garrison  and  stores  were  also  with- 
drawn on  the  approach  of  Lord  Cornwallis  with  five 
thousand  men  to  invest  it* 

While  these  transactions  were  going  on,  the  en- 
terprising  spirit  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  was 
employed  to  explore  an  opening  through  which  to 
attack  his  adversary.  He  clearly  saw  the  impor- 
tance of  driving  the  British  from  Province  Island  ; 
But  fifteen  hundred  men,  in  the  opinion  of  his  Gen- 
eral officers,  was  necessary  to  effect  this  object. 
This  detachment  could  reach  the  place  of  assault 
only  by  marching  down  a  neck  of  land  six  miles  in 
length  almost  in  sight  of  the  British  General,  who 
might  easily  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  American  d<s- 

X 


162  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  ([1777. 

tachment,  unless  it  should  be  protected  by  a  strong 
covering  party.  To  furnish  this  party,  General 
Washington  must  expose  his  army  with  all  his 
stores  and  artillery  to  Sir  William.  Or,  if  he  mov- 
ed his  whole  army  over  the  Schuylkill,  all  the  mag- 
azines and  hospitals  in  his  rear,  might  without  op- 
position be  seized.  Red  Bank  would  also  be  expos- 
ed through  which  reinforcements  of  men,  and  sup- 
plies  of  ammunition  and  provisions  passed  to  Fort 
Island.  He  was  therefore  constrained  to  watch  the 
progress  of  his  enemy,  without  making  efficient  at- 
tempts to  check  him. 

The  fortifications  of  the  Delaware  being  sur- 
mounted, the  impediments  in  the  channel  of  the  riv- 
er were,  without  great  difficulty,  removed.  In  six 
weeks  of  incessant  effiDrt,  the  British  commanders 
gained  the  free  navigation  of  the  Delaware,  and 
opened  the  communication  between  their  fleet  and 
army. 

During  the  excursion  of  Lord  Cornwallis  into 
New  Jersey,  with  a  design  to  invest  Fort  Mercer, 
General  Washington  was  urged  to  attack  Phila- 
delphia. The  wishes  of  Congress,  and  the  expecta- 
tion of  the  publick,  gave  weight  to  the  proposed 
measure.  The  plan  was,  that  General  Green  should 
silently  fall  down  the  Delaware,  at  a  specified  time, 
attack  the  rear  of  General  Ho\^  e,  and  gain  posses- 
sion of  the  bridge  over  the  Schuylkill;  that  a  pow- 
erful force  should  march  down  on  the  v\  est  side  of 
that  river,  and  from  the  lieights  infilade  the  Britisli 
works  on  that  side,  while  the  Commander  in  Chief, 
with  the  main  body  of  the  army  should  attack  four- 


1777-3  ^^^    ^^    WASHINGTON.  163 

teen  redoubts,  and  the  lines  of  the  enemy  extending 
from  the  Delaware  to  the  Schuylkill,  which  consti- 
tuted their  defence  in  front. 

The  sound  mind  of  GeneralWASHiNCTON,  was 
not  SO  much  dazzled  by  a  prospect  of  the  brilliance 
and  fame  which  the  success  of  this  enterprize  would 
throw  around  himself,  and  his  army,  as  to  engage  in 
the  desperate  attempt.  Nor  was  he  disposed  to 
sacrifice  the  safety  of  his  country,  upon  the  altar  of 
publick  opinion.  He  gave  the  following  reasons  for 
rejecting  the  plan  ;  that  the  army  in  Philadelphia, 
was  in  number  at  least  equal  to  his  own  ;  it  could 
not  reasonably  be  expected  that  the  several  corps, 
£ngaged  could  cooperate  in  that  joint  and  prompt 
manner,  which  was  necessary  to  success  ;  in  all 
probability  the  movement  of  General  Green  could 
not  be  made  in  the  face  of  a  vigilant  enemy  without 
discovery,  which  was  essential.... if  the  several  divi- 
sions were  in  the  onset  successful,  the  redoubts 
taken,  the  lines  surmounted,  and  the  British  army 
driven  within  the  city,  the  assault  then  must  be  ex- 
tremely hazardous  ;  an  artillery  superiour  to  their 
own,  would  be  planted  to  play  upon  the  front  of  the 
assailing  columns,  and  the  brick  houses  would  be 
lined  with  a  formidable  infantry,  to  thin  their  flanks  j 
a  defeat,  which,  calculating  upon  the  scale  of  prob- 
ability must  be  expected,  would  ruin  the  army, 
and  open  the  country  to  the  depredation  of  the  ene- 
my ;  tiie  hardy  enterprises  and  stubborn  conflicts 
of  two  campaigns,  had  given  the  British  general  onhr 
the  command  of  two  or  three  towns,  protected  in  a 
great  measure  by  the  shipping,  why  then  forego  ths 


164  KIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

advantage  of  confining  the  British  army  in  narrow 
quarters,  to  place  the  stores  in  camp,  and  the  very 
independence  of  America  at  risk  upon  this  forlorn 
hope.  The  General  was  supported  in  his  opinion 
by  those  officers  in  whose  judgment  he  placed  the 
most  confidence,  and  he  disregarded  the  clamours 
of  ignorance  and  rashness. 

On  the  4th  of  December,  Sir  William  Howe 
marched  his  m  hole  army  out  of  Philadelphia  to 
White  Marsh,  the  encampment  of  General  Wash- 
ington. He  took  a  position  on  Chesnut  Hill 
in  front  of  the  American  right  wing.  Mr.  Sted- 
man,  a  British  historian,  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
•who  at  this  time  was  with  Sir  William,  states. 
his  force  at  fourteen  thousand  men.  The  Conti- 
nental troops  at  White  Marsh  amounted  to  about 
twelve  thousand,  and  the  militia  to  three.  The 
ground  of  the  Americans  was  strong,  but  no  fortifi- 
cations  had  been  erected.  Never  before  had  Gen- 
eral Washington  met  his  enemy  in  this  manner, 
with  a  superiority  of  numbers.  He  wished  to  be 
attacked,  but  was  not  disposed  to  relinquish  the  ad- 
vantage of  ground. 

The  British  Commander  spent  the  6th  in  re- 
connoitring the  American  right.  At  night  he 
marched  to  their  left  on  the  hill,  which  here  ap- 
proached nearer  to  their  camp,  and  took  a  good 
position  within  a  mile  of  it.  The  next  day  be 
advanced  further  to  the  American  left,  and  in  do- 
ing it  approached  still  nearer  this  wing.  General 
Washington  made  some  changes  in  the  disposi- 
tion of  his  troops  to  oppose  with  a  greater  force  th^ 


1777.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  165 

attack  he  confidently  expected  on  his  left.  Mo- 
mentarily expecting  the  assault,  he  rode  through 
each  brigade  of  the  army,  with  perfect  composure, 
giving  his  orders,  animating  his  men  to  do  their 
duty  to  their  country,  and  exhorting  them  to  depend 
principally  on  the  bayonet.  During  these  mancEU- 
vres,  some  sharp  skirmishing  took  place.  At  ev- 
ening the  disposition  of  General  Howe  indicated  the 
design  to  attack  the  next  morning.  The  American 
Commander  impatiently  waited  the  assault,  promis- 
ing himself  some  compensation  for  the  disasters  of 
the  campaign  in  the  issue  of  this  battle.  But  his 
hopes  were  disappointed.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
eighth,  Sir  William  returned  to  Philadelphia,  with 
such  rapidity  as  not  to  be  overtaken  by  the  Ameri- 
can light  troops,  which  were  sent  out  to  harass  his 
rear. 

Sir  William  Howe  moved  out  of  Philadelphia 
with  a  professed  design  to  attack  General  Washing- 
ton, and  to  drive  him  over  the  mountain.  He  must 
have  felt  mortification  in  receding  from  this  inten- 
tion, and  by  it  acknowledging  in  the  face  of  the 
world,  the  respect  he  entertained  for  the  military 
talents  of  his  opponent,  and  proclaiming  his  reluct- 
ance to  engage  an  American  army  of  equal  numbers, 
unless  he  could  command   the  srround  of  action. 

o 

The  American  troops  v;ere  badly  clothed,  and 
were  generally  destitute  of  blankets.  The  v/inter 
setting  in  with  severity,  it  became  necessary  to  lodge 
them  in  winter  quarters.  The  General  had  revolv- 
ed the  subject  in  his  mind,  and  weighed  all  its  diffi- 
culties.     Shovikl   he  quarter  his  army  in  villages, 


166  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

his  men  \vouId  be  exposed  to  the  destructive  enter- 
prises of  partizan  British  corps,  and  a  large  district 
of  country  would  be  opened  to  the  forage  of  the  ene- 
my. To  remedy  these  dangers  and  inconveniences, 
the  General  resolved  to  march  his  army  to  Valley 
Forge,  a  strong  position  back  of  Philadelphia,  cover- 
ed with  wood,  and  there  shelter  them.  On  the  march 
to  the  place,  for  the  first  time  the  disposition  for  the 
winter  was  announced.  He  applauded  the  past  for- 
titude of  the  army,  and  exhorted  them  to  bear  their 
approaching  hardships  with  the  resolution  of  sol- 
diers, assuring  them  that  the  publick  good,  and  not 
his  inclination  imposed  them.  The  men  bore  their 
temporary  sufferings  with  patience.  They  felled 
trees,  and  of  logs  built  themselves  huts,  closing 
their  crevices  with  mortar,  and  soon  assumed  the 
form  and  order  of  an  encampment.  Light  troops 
were  stationed  around  Philadelphia  to  straiten  the 
enemy's  quarters,  and  to  cut  off  their  communica- 
tion with  those  of  the  country  who  were  disposed 
to  supply  them  with  provision. 

On  the  22d.  of  December  the  Commissary 
announced  the  alarming  fact,  that  the  last  rations  in 
store  had  been  served  to  the  troops.  A  small  num- 
ber of  the  men  discovered  a  disposition  to  mutiny 
at  a  privation  for  which  they  could  not  account,  but 
in  the  criminal  inattention  of  their  country  ;  but  the 
majority  of  the  army  submitted  to  the  scarcity  with- 
out a  murmur.  General  Washington  ordered 
the  country  to  be  scoured,  and  provisions  to  be 
seized  wherever  they  could  be  found.  At  the  same 
time  he  stated  the  situation  of  the  army  to  Con- 


1777.]  tlFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  167 

gress,  and  warned  that  body  of  the  dangerous  conse- 
quences of  this  mode  of  obtaining  supplies.  It  was 
calculated  he  said,  to  ruin  the  discipline  of  the  sol- 
diers, and  to  raise  in  them  a  disposition  for  plunder 
and  licentiousness.  It  must  create  in  the  minds  of 
the  inhabitants  jealousy  and  dissatisfaction.  "  I  re- 
gret the  occasion  which  compelled  me  to  the  meas- 
ure the  other  dav,  and  shall  consider  it  amonar  the 
greatest  of  our  misfortunes  to  be  under  the  necessity 
of  practising  it  again.  I  am  now  obliged  to  keep 
several  parties  from  the  army  threshing  grain,  that 
our  supplies  may  not  fail,  but  this  will  not  do." — 
During  the  whole  winter,  the  sufferings  of  the 
troops  at  Valley  Forge  were  extreme. 


168  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTOIT.  [1777. 


CHAPTER    V. 


Progress  and  Issue  of  the  JVbrihern  Cam fiaign.,.. Plan  to  di^" 
place  General  Washington. ...His  Corresfiondence  on  the 
Subject. ...Letter  of  Ge7ieral  Gates. ...Remonstrance  of  the 
Legislature  of  P ennsylvania  against  closing  the  Cam/iaign... 
Observations  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  ufion  it....Suffer-' 
ings  of  the  Army  for  the  want  of  Provisions  and  Clothing.... 
Measures  adopted  by  the  Commander  in  Chief  to  obtaiii 
Supplies. ...Methods  taken  to  Recruit  the  Army. ...Sir  Henry 
Clinton  appointed  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  British  For' 
ces....He  evacuates  Philadelphia.,  and  Marches  through  J^Teno 
Jersey  to  JVenv  York. ...General  W^SHiNcroN pursues  him.... 
Battle  of  Monmouth.... Thanks  of  Congress  to  the  General 
and  Army  ....General  Lee  censured. ...He  demands  a  Court 
Martial^  and  is  suspended  from  his  Command. ...French  Fleet 
appears  on  the  American  Coast  ....Expedition  agai?ist  Rhode' 

island... .It  fails Disaffection   between  the  American  and 

French  Officers. ...Measures  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  to 
prevent  the  ill  Consequences  of  it, ...Army  goes  into  Winter 
Quarters  in  the  High  Lands. 

1777.  During  these  transactions  in  the 
middle  States,  the  northern  campaign  had  issued  in 
the  capture  of  General  Burgoyne  and  army.  That 
department  had  ever  been  considered  as  a  separate 
command,  and  more  particularly  under  the  direction 
of  Congress.  But  the  opinion  of  the  Commander 
in  Chief  had  been  consulted  in  many  of  its  transac- 
tions, and  most  of  its  details  had  passed  through  his 


1777.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  169 

hands.  Through  him  thit  army  had  been  supplied 
with  the  greater  part  of  its  artillery,  ammunition  and 
provisions. 

Upon  the  loss  of  Ticonderoga,  and  the  disas- 
trous events  which  followed  it,,  he  exerted  himself 
to  stop  the  career  of  General  Burgoyne,  although 
by  this  exertion,  he  weakened  himself  in  his  con- 
flicts with  Sir  William  Howe.  Without  waiting 
for  the  order  of  Congress,  in  his  own  name  he  call- 
ed out  the  militia  of  New  England,  and  directed 
General  Lincoln  to  command  them.  Strong  detach- 
ments were  sent  to  the  northward  from  his  own  ar- 
my. General  Arnold,  who  had  already  greatly  distin- 
guished himself  in  the  field,  was  sent  at  the  head  of 
these  reinforcements,  in  the  expectation  that  l;is  in- 
fluence would  do  much  to  reanimate  that  army  and 
inspirit  them  to  noble  exertions.  Soon  after  Colonel 
JNIorgan  with  his  regiment,  the  best  partisan  corps 
in  the  American  army,  was'  also  detached  to  that 
service.  General  Washington  encouraged  Gen^ 
eral  Schuyler  to  look  forward  to  brighter  fortune. 
"  The  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Inde- 
pendence," said  he,  in  a  letler  to  that  General,  "is 
an  event  of  ch;jgrin  and  surprise,  not  apprehended, 
nor  within  the  compass  of  my  reasoning.  This 
stroke  is  severe  indeed,  and  has  distressed  us  much. 
But  iiotwithstanding  things  at  present  wear  a  dark 
and  gloomy  aspect,  I  hope  a  spirited  opposition  will 
check  the  progress  of  General  Burgoyne'sarms,  and 
that  the  confidence  derived  from  success  will  hurry 
him  into  measures,  that  will  in  their  consequences 
be  favourable   to  us.     We  should  never   despair* 

T 


170  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTOPT.  [l777. 

Our  situation  has  before  been  unpromising,  and  has 
changed  for  the  better,  so  I  trust  it  will  again.  If 
new  difficulties  arise,  we  must  only  put  forth  new 
exertions,  and  proportion  our  efforts  to  the  exigen- 
cy of  the  times."  When  informed  by  General 
Schuyler,  that  Burgoyne  had  divided  his  force  to 
act  in  different  quarters,  General  Washington 
foresaw  the  consequences,  and  advised  to  the  meas- 
ures that  proved  fatal  to  that  commander.  *'  Al- 
though our  affairs,"  replied  he  to  General  Schuyler, 
*'  have  some  days  past  worn  a  dark  and  gloomy  as- 
pect, I  yet  look  forward  to  a  fortunate  and  happy 
issue.  I  trust  General  Burgoyne's  army  will  sooner 
or  later,  experience  an  effectual  check  ;  and,  as  I 
suggested  before,  that  the  success  he  had  will  pre- 
cipitate his  ruin.  From  your  account  he  appears  to 
be  pursuing  that  line  of  conduct,  which  of  alloth-' 
ers  is  most  favourable  to  us  ;  I  mean  acting  by  de- 
tachments. This  conduct  will  certainly  give  room 
for  enterprise  on  our  part,  and  expose  his  parties  to 
great  hazard.  Could  we  be  so  happy  as  to  cut  one 
of  them  off,  though  it  should  not  exceed  four,  five, 
or  six  hundred  men,  it  would  inspirit  the  people, 
and  do  away  much  of  their  present  anxiety.  In 
such  an  event,  they  would  lose  sight  of  past  misfor- 
tunes ;  and,  urged  at  the  same  time  by  a  regard  to 
their  own  security,  they  would  fly  to  arms  and  af- 
ford every  aid  in  their  power." 

The  community  was  not  intimately  acquainted 
with  the  state  of  things  in  the  northern  department. 
In  consequence,  strong  prejudices  were  excited 
against  General  Schuyler.     On  account  of  this  pop- 


1777.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  171 

ular  prejudice,  Congress  conceived  it  prudent  to 
change  the  General  of  this  army,  and  the  Comman- 
der in  Chief  was  requested  to  nominate  a  successor 
to  General  Schuyler.  Through  delicacy  he  declin- 
ed this  nomination  ;  but  never  did  the  semblance 
of  envy  at  the  good  fortune  of  General  Gates,  whom 
Congress  appointed,  appear  in  any  part  of  General 
Washington's  conduct.  His  patriotism  induced 
him  to  aid  this  subordinate  General  by  every  means 
in  his  power,  and  the  successes  of  the  northern  army 
filled  his  heart  with  undissembled  joy. 

This  magnanimity  was  not  in  every  instance  re- 
paid. The  brilliant  issue  of  the  northern  campaign 
in  1777,  cast  a  glory  around  General  Gates,  and 
exalted  his  military  reputation.  During  his  separ- 
ate command,  some  parts  of  his  conduct  did  not 
correspond  with  the  ingenuousness  and  delicacy 
with  which  he  had  been  treated  by  the  Commander 
in  Chief.  After  the  action  of  the  19th  of  Septem- 
ber, when  it  was  ascertained  that  General  Gates's 
force  was  superiour  to  that  of  the  British  General, 
and  was  increasing,  General  Washington  appre- 
hended that  General  Gales  might  return  him  Colonel 
Morgan's  corps,  whose  services  he  greatly  needed 
while  the  enemy  was  marchingthrough  Pennsylvania. 
But  unwilling  absolutely  to  order  the  return  of  Mor- 
gan, he  stated  that  General  Howe  was  pressing  hin^ 
with  a  superiour  force,  and  left  General  Gates  to 
act  in  the  concern  according  to  his  discretion.  Gen- 
eral Gates  retained  the  corps,  and  mentioned  as  hi^ 
reason,  "  Since  tlie  action  of  the  19th  the  enemy  have 
kept  the  ground  they  occupied  on  the  mornuig  of  tha^ 


172  LITIS,    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

day  and  fortified  the  camp.  The  advance  sentries 
of  my  pickets  are  posted  \vithin  shot,  and  opposite 
those  of  the  enemy.  Neither  side  has  given 
ground  an  inch.  In  this  situation  your  Excellency 
Vi^ould  not  wish  me  to  part  with  the  corps,  the  army 
of  General  Burgoyne  is  most  afraid  of."  He  neg- 
lected to  inform  the  Commander  in  Chief  of  his  sub- 
sequent successes  over  the  enemy. 

When  the  intelligence  of  the  surrender  of  the 
British  army  reached  head  quarters,  the  Commander 
in  Chief  dispatched  Colonel  Hamilton,  one  of  his  aids 
to  General  Gates,  to  state  his  own  critical  situation, 
and  make  known  his  earnest  wishes,  that  reinforce- 
ments should  be  forwarded  to  him  with  the  utmost 
expedition.  Colonel  Hamilton  found  that  General 
Gates  had  retained  four  Brigades  at  Albany  with  a 
design  to  attack  Ticonderoga  in  the  course  of  the 
next  winter.  With  difficulty  and  delay  he  obtained 
an  order  to  move  three  Brigades. 

Colonel  Hamilton  was  also  charged  with  a  sim- 
ilar message  to  General  Putnam  in  the  Highlands, 
and  directed  to  accelerate  the  movement  of  reinforce- 
ments from  that  post.  But  General  Putnam  in  view 
of  an  attempt  upon  Nev\^  York  discovered  a  disposi- 
tion to  retain  under  his  command  that  portion  of 
the  northern  army,  which  had  been  sent  to  the 
Highlands.  Colonel  Hamilton  was  necessitated  to 
borrow  money  of  General  Clinton,  Governour  of  the 
state  of  New  York,  to  fit  the  troops  of  General  Put- 
nam to  begin  their  march. 

These  obstructions  and  delays  in  the  execution 
of  General  Washington's   orders,  prevented  hi^ 


1777.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON".  173 

being  reinforced  in  season  to  attack  Lord  Coniwal- 
lis,  while  in  New  Jersey,  and  probably  occasioned 
the  loss  of  Fort  Mifflin  and  Red  Bank. 

The  different  termination  of  the  campaigns  of 
1777  at  the  North,  and  in  the  Middle  states,  furnish- 
ed the  ignorant  and  flictious  part  of  the  community 
with  an  opportunit}^  to  clamour  against  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief.  Their  murmurs  emboldened 
several  members  of  Congress,  and  individual  gentle- 
men in  different  parts  of  the  United  States,  to  adopt 
measures  to  supplant  General  Washington,  and 
to  raise  General  Gates  to  the  supreme  command  of 
the  American  armies. 

In  prosecution  of  this  scheme,  pieces  artfully 
written  were  published  in  Newspapers  in  different 
places,  tending  to  lessen  the  military  character  of 
General  Washington,  and  to  prepare  the  publick 
for  the  contemplated  change  in  the  head  of  the  mil- 
itar}'  department.  Generals  Gates  and  Mifflin,  and 
Brigadier  Conway,  entered  into  the  intrigue.  Con- 
way was  an  Irishman,  who  had  been  in  the  service 
of  France,  and  on  the  recommendation  of  Mr.  Silas 
Deane  was  commissioned  by  Congress.  The  influ- 
ence of  the  party  in  Congress  opposed  to  General 
Washington,  appears  by  a  number  of  the  publick 
transactions  of  that  body.  A  board  of  war  was  in- 
stituted and  General  Gates  placed  at  its  head,  Con- 
way was  raised  over  every  other  Brigadier,  and  ap- 
pointed inspector  of  the  army. 

These  machinations  to  tarnish  the  character  of 
the  CommaiKler  in  Chief  were  known  to  him,  but  he 
silently  noticed  their  operation.     The  good  of  his 


174  LirE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1777, 

country  was  with   him  paramount  to  all  other  con- 
siderations, and  he  stifled  his  just  indignation  and  left 
his   reputation  to   rest  on  its  own  merits,  lest  the 
open  dissension  of  the  civil  and  military  ministers  of 
the  revolution  should  endanger  the  publick  interest. 

At  length,  the  presumption  of  his  enemies,  forced 
him  into  an  expression  of  his  feelings  on  the  sub- 
ject. The  following  correspondences  give  a  general 
view  of  the  progress  of  their  measures.  Mr.  Law- 
rens,  President  of  Congress,  in  a  private  letter  com- 
municated to  the  General  information  of  an  anony- 
mous complaint  laid  before  him,  in  his  official  ca- 
pacity, containing  high  charges  against  General 
Washington,  to  which  he  replied  : 

'*  I  cannot  sufficiently  express  the  obligation  I 
feel  towards  you,  for  your  friendship  and  politeness 
upon  an  occasion  in  which  I  am  so  deeply  interested, 
I  was  not  unapprized  that  a  malignant  faction  had 
been  for  some  time  forming,  to  my  prejudice, 
which,  conscious  as  I  am  of  having  ever  done  all  in 
my  power  to  answer  the  important  purposes  of  the 
trust  reposed  in  me,  could  not  but  give  me  some 
pain  on  a  personal  account  ;  but  my  chief  concern 
arises  from  an  apprehension  of  the  dangerous  conse- 
quences, which  intestine  dissensions  may  produce 
to  the  common  cause. 

"As  I  have  no  other  view  than  to  promote  the 
public  good,  and  am  unambitious  of  honours  not 
founded  on  the  approbation  of  my  country,  I  would 
not  desire  in  the  least  degree  to  suppress  a  free  spir- 
it of  inquiry  into  any  part  of  my  conduct,  that  even 
faction  itself  may  deem  reprehensible.     The  anony= 


1777.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  175 

mous  paper  handed  you,  exhibits  many  serious 
charges,  and  it  is  my  wish  that  it  may  be  submitted 
to  Congress.  This  I  am  more  inclined  to,  as  the 
suppression,  or  concealment,  may  possibly  involve 
you  in  .embarrassments  hereafter,  since  it  is  uncer- 
tain how  many,  or  who,  may  be  privy  to  the  contents. 

"My  enemies  take  an  ungenerous  advantage  of 
.me.  They  know  the  delicacy  of  my  situation,  and 
that  motives  of  policy  deprive  me  of  the  defence  I 
might  otherwise  make  against  their  insidious  attacks. 
They  know  I  cannot  combat  their  insinuations, 
however  injurious,  without  disclosing  secrets,  it  is 
of  the  utmost  moment  to  conceal.  But  why 
should  I  expect  to  be  exempt  from  censure,  the  un- 
failing lot  of  an  elevated  station  ?  Merit  and  talents, 
which  I  cannot  pretend  to  rival,  have  ever  been  sub- 
ject to  it.  My  heart  tells  me  it  has  been  my  unre- 
mitted aim  to  do  the  best,  which  circumstances 
would  permit ;  yet  I  may  have  been  very  often  mis- 
taken in  my  judgment  of  the  means,  and  may,  in 
many  instances,  deserve  the  imputation  of  errour." 

To  a  friend  in  New  England,  who  expressed'  by 
letter  his  anxiety  in  consequence  of  a  report  that  he 
was  about  to  resign  his  commission,  he  wrote  : 

*'  I  can  assure  you  that  no  person  ever  heard  mc 
drop  an  expression  that  had  a  tendency  to  resigna- 
tion. The  same  principles  that  led  me  to  embark  in 
the  opposition  to  the  arbitrary  claims  of  Great  Brit- 
ain, operate  with  additional  force  at  this  day  ;  nor  is 
it  my  desire  to  withdraw  my  services  while  they  are 
considered  of  importance  in  the  present  contest ; 
but  to  report  a  design  of  this  kind,  is  among  the  arts, 


176  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [177f. 

which  those  who  are  endeavouring  to  effect  a  change, 
are  practising  to  bring  it  to  pass.  I  have  said,  and  I 
still  do  say,  that  there  is  not  an  officer  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  that  would  return  to  the  sweets 
of  domestick  life  with  more  heartfelt  joy  than  I  should. 
But  I  would  have  this  declaration  accompanied  by 
these  sentiments,  that  while  the  public  are  satisfied 
with  my  endeavours,  I  mean  not  to  shrink  from  the 
cause :  But  the  moment  her  voice,  not  that  of  fac- 
tion, calls  upon  me  to  resign,  I  shall  do  it  with  as 
much  pleasure  as  ever  the  wearied  traveller  retired 
to  rest." 

Kis  friend  Mr.  Patrick  Henry,  then  Governour 
of  Virgmia,  informed  him  of  the  intrigues  that  were 
going  on  in  his  native  state.     To  which  he  replied : 

"  The  anon}'mous  letter  m  ith  which  you  were 
pleased  to  favour  me,  was  written  by  ******** 
so  far  as  I  can  judge  from  the  similitude  of  hands. 

CJi.  ^  £k.  ^  ^  ik.  2^  J^  £!£.  J^  Jii.  Afc.  2^  ^ 

^v  if\  ^\  t^  vj\  vi\  *T\  *7v  tfs,  vfv  Tfv  ^v  7j\  7^ 

"  My  caution  to  avoid  any  thing  that  could  in- 
jure the  service,  prevented  me  from  communicating, 
except  to  a  very  few  of  my  friends,  the  intrigues  of 
a  faction  which  I  knew  was  formed  against  me,  since 
it  might  serve  to  publish  our  internal  dissensions, 
but  their  own  restless  zeal  to  advance  their  views  has 
too  clearly  betrayed  them,  and  made  concealment  on 
my  part  fruitless.  I  cannot  precisely  mark  the  ex- 
tent of  their  views,  but  it  appeared  in  general,  that 
General  Gates  was  to  be  exalted  on  the  ruin  of  my 
reputation  and  influence.  This  I  am  authorized  to 
say  from  undeniable  facts  in  my  possession,  from 
publications  the  evident  scope  of  which  could  not  be 


1777.]  LIFE    OF    WASHlNGtON,  l7f 

mistaken,  and  fronri  private  detractions  industriously 
circulated.  **********,  it  is  commoniy  supposed^ 
bore  the  second  part  in  the  cabal ;  and  General  Con- 
way, 1  know,  was  a  very  active  and  malignant  parti- 
san ;  but  I  have  good  reaSon  to  believe  that  their 
machinations  have  recoiled  most  sensibly  upon  them- 
selves." 

General  Gates  learning  that  a  passage  in  a  letter 
from  Brigadier  Conway  to  him  had  been  commu- 
nicated to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  wrote  the  follow- 
ing letter,  as  extraordinary  for  the  manner  of  its  con- 
veyance, as  for  the  matter  it  contains. 

*'  I  shall  not  attempt  to  describe,  what  as  a  pri- 
vate gentleman,  I  cannot  help  feeling,  on  represent- 
ing to  my  mind,  the  disagreeable  situation,  which 
confidential  letters,  when  exposed  to  publick  inspec- 
tion, may  place  an  unsuspecting  correspondent  in  ; 
but,  as  a  publick  officer,  I  conjure  your  Excellency  to 
give  me  all  the  assistance  you  can,  in  tracing  out 
the  author  of  the  infidelity,  which  put  extracts  from 
General  Conway's  letters  to  me  into  your  hands^ 
Those  letters  have  been  stealingly  copied  ;  but 
which  of  them,  when,  or  by  whom,  is  to  me  as  yet 
an  unfathomable  secret. 

"  There  is  not  one  officer  in  my  suite,  or 
amongst  those  who  have  a  free  access  to  me,  upon 
whom  I  could  with  the  least  justification  to  myself, 
fix  the  suspicion  ;  and  yet  m.y  uneasiness  may  de- 
prive me  of  the  usefulness  of  the  worthiest  men. 
It  is,  I  believe,  in  your  Excellencj  's  power  to  do  me^ 
and  the  United  States,  a  very  important  service,  by 
detecting  a  wretch  who  may  betray  me,  and  capitals 


178  iiFE  er   wasbington.  [1777. 

\y  injure  the  very  operations  under  your  immediate 
direction.  For  this  reason,  sir,  I  beg  your  Excel- 
lency would  favour  me  with  the  proofs  you  can  pro- 
cure to  that  effect.  But  the  crime  being  eventually 
so  important,  that  the  least  loss  of  time  may  be  at- 
tended with  the  worst  consequences  ;  and  it  being 
unknown  to  me  whether  the  letter  came  to  you  from 
a  member  of  Congress,  or  from  an  officer,  I  shall 
have  the  honour  of  transmitting  a  copy  of  this  to  the 
President,  that  Congress  may,  in  concert  with  your 
Excellency,  obtain,  as  soon  as  possible  a  discovery 
which  so  deeply  effects  the  safety  of  the  States. 
Crimes  of  that  magnitude  ought  not  to  remain  un- 
punished." 

To  which  the  General  with  dignity  replied. 

*'  Your  letter  of  the  18th  ultimo,  came  to  my 
hands  a  few  days  ago,  and  to  my  great  surprise  in- 
formed me,  that  a  copy  of  it  had  been  sent  to  Con- 
gress, for  what  reason,  I  find  myself  unable  to  ac- 
count ;  but  as  some  end  doubtless  was  intended  to 
be  answered  by  it,  I  am  laid  under  the  disagreeable 
necessity  of  returning  my  ansv.  er  through  the  same 
channel,  lest  any  member  of  that  honourable  body 
should  harbour  an  unfavourable  suspicion  of  my 
having  practised  some  indirect  means  to  come  at  the 
contents  of  the  confidential  letters  betw  een  you  and 
General  Conway. 

"  I  am  to  inform  you  then,  that  *********, 
on  his  way  to  Congress,  in  the  month  of  October 
last,  fell  in  with  Lord  Sterling  at  Reading  ;  and,  not 
in  confidence  that  I  ever  understood,  informed  his 
Aid  de  camp,   Major  M'WiUiams,  that  General 


1777.]  Lin  or  Washington.  179 

Conway  had  written  thus  to  you  *  Heaven  has  been 
determined  to  save  your  country,  or  a  weak  General 
and  bad  Counsellors  would  have  ruined  it.'  Lord 
Sterling,  from  motives  of  friendship,  transmitted  the 
account  with  this  remark.  '  The  enclosed  was 
communicated  by  ********  to  Major  M'VVil. 
liams ;  such  wicked  duplicity  of  conduct,  I  shall 
always  think  it  my  duty  to  detect.' 

"  In  consequence  of  this  information,  and  with- 
out having  any  thing  more  in  view,  than  merely  to 
show  that  gentleman  that  I  was  not  unapprised  of  his 
intriguing  disposition,  I  wrote  him  a  letter  in  these 
words. 

"  Sir,  a  letter  which  I  received  last  night,  con- 
tained the  following  paragraph. 

"In  a  letter  from  General  Conway  to  General 
Gates,  he  says,  '  heaven  has  been  determined  to  save 
your  country  ;  or  a  weak  General  and  bad  Cou  nsel- 
lors  would  have  ruined  it;  I  am,  sir,  &c.' 

"  Neither  the  letter,  nor  the  information  which 
occasioned  it,  was  ever  directly,  or  indirectly,  com- 
municated by  me  to  a  single  ofScer  in  this  army 
(out  of  my  own  family)  excepting  the  Marquis  de  la 
Fayette,  who  having  been  spoken  to  on  the  subject, 
by  General  Conway,  applied  for,  and  saw,  under  in- 
junctions of  secrecy,  the  letter  which  contained  this 
information  ;  so  desirous  was  I  of  concealing  every 
matter  that  could,  in  its  consequences,  give  the 
smallest  interruption  to  the  tranquillity  of  this  army, 
or  afford  a  gleam  of  hope  to  the  enemy  by  dissen* 
sions  therein. 


i80  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

**  Thus,  sir,  with  an  openness  and  candour, 
which  I  hope  will  ever  characterize  and  mark  my 
conduct,  have  I  complied  with  your  request 

'*  The  only  concern  I  feel   upon  the  occasion^ 
finding  how  matters  stand,  is,  that,  in  doing  this,  I 
have  necessarily  been  obliged  to  name  a  gentleman, 
who,  I  am  persuaded,  (aUhough  I  never  exchanged 
a  word  with  him  upon  the  subject)  thought  he  was 
rather  doing  an  act  of  justice,  than   committing  an 
act  of  infidelity  ;  and  sure  I  am,  that  until  Lord  Ster- 
ling's letter  came  to  my  hands,  I  never  knew  that 
General  Conway,  (whom  I  viewed  in  the  light  of  a 
stranger  to  you)  was  a  correspondent  of  yours,  much 
less  did  i  suspect  that  I  was  the  subject  of  your  con- 
fidential letters.     Pardon  me  then  for  adding,  that, 
so  far  from  conceiving  that  the  safety  of  the  States 
can  be  affected,  or  in  the  smallest  degree   injured, 
by  a  discovery  of  this  kind,  or  that  I  should  be  call- 
ed upon  in  such  solemn  terms  to  point  out  the  au- 
thor, that  I  considered   the  information  as  coming 
from   yourself,   and  given  with  a  friendly  view  to 
jforcwarn,    and  consequently  forearm  me,  against  a 
secret  enemy,  or  in  other  words,  a  dangerous  incen- 
diary, in  which  character,  sooner,  or  later,  this  coun- 
try will  know  General  Conway.     But,   in  this,  as 
well  as   other  matters  of  late,  1  have   found  myself 
mistaken." 

In  the  active  perigd  of  the  last  campaign,  the 
PeniiNylvanianshad  been  deficient  in  the  support  giv- 
en to  General  Washington,  yet  sore  at  the  loss 
of  their  capital,  and  at  the  depredation  of  the  enemy 
in  their  towns,  they  murmured  that  he  had  not  de- 


3.777.]  I-IFE     OF    WASHINGTOBT.  18^^ 

fended  them  against  Sir  William  Howe,  although 
his  force  was  greatly  inferiour  to  that  of  the  enemy. 
General  Miffiin  was  then  a  member  of  the  Legislature 
of  that  State.     This  Legislature  being  informed  that 
the  American  army  was  moving  into  winter  quar- 
ters,  presented  a  remonstrance  to  Congress  against 
the  measure,  in  which  unequivocal  complaints  were 
contained  against  the  Commander  in  Chief.      This 
remonstrance  was  presented  at  the  veiy  time,  the 
discovery  was  made,  that  the  last  rations  in  the 
Commissary's  stores   w'ere  issued  to  the  soldiery. 
General  Washington,  expressed  the  feelings  of 
his  patriotick  and   noble  mind  on  this  complaint, 
in  a  letter  addressed  to  the  President  of  Congress, 
and  written  in  language  which  he  used  on  no  other 
occasion. 

"  Full  as  I  was  in  my  representations  of  the  mat- 
ters in  the  commissary's  department  yesterday,  fresh 
and  more  powerful  reasons  oblige  me  to  add,  that  I 
am  now  convinced  beyond  a  doubt,  that  unless  some 
great  and  capital  change  suddenly  takes  place  in  that 
line,  this  army   must   inevitably  be  reduced  to  one 
or  other  of  these  three  things,  to  starve,  dissolve,  or 
disperse  in  order  to  obtain  subsistence.     Rest  assur- 
ed, sir,  that  this  is  not  an  exaggerated  picture,  and 
that  I  have  abundant  reason  to  suppose  what  I  say. 
"  Saturday  afternoon,  receiving  information  that 
the  enemy,  in  force,  had  left  the  city  and  were  ad- 
vancing towards   Derby   with   apparent  design  to 
forage,  and  draw  subsistence  from  that  part  of  the 
country,  I  ordered  the  troops  to  be  in  readiness  that 
I  might  give  every  opposition  in  my  power ;  when. 


LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON^.  [1777. 

to  my  great  mortification,  I  was  not  only  informed, 
but  convinced,  that  the  men  were  unable  to  stir  on 
account  of  a  want  of  provisions  ;  and  that  a  danger- 
ous mutiny,  began  the  night  before,  and  which 
with  difficulty  was  suppii^ssed  by  the  spirited  exer- 
tions  of  some  officers,  was  still  much  to  be  appre- 
hended from  the  want  of  this  ariicle. 

*'  This  broughfforth  the  only  commissary  in  the 
purchasing  line  in  this  camp,  and  with  him,  this 
melancholy  and  alarming  truth,  that  he  had  not  a 
single  hoof  of  any  kind  to  slaughter,  and  not  more 
than  twentyfive  barrels  of  flour  !  From  hence,  form 
an  opinion  of  our  situation,  when  I  add,  that  he 
€ould  not  tell  when  to  expect  any, 

"  All  I  could  do  under  these  circumstances,  was 
to  send  out  a  few  light  parties  to  watch  and  harass 
the  enemy,  whilst  other  parties  were  instantly  detach- 
ed different  ways  to  collect,  if  possible,  as  much  pro- 
vision as  would  satisfy  the  present   pressing  wants 
of  the  soldiery  ;  but  will  this  answer  ?  No,  sir,  three 
or  four  days  of  bad  weather  would  prove  our  des- 
truction.    What  then  is  to  become  of  the  army  this 
winter  ?  And  if  we  are  now  as  often  without  provis- 
ions as  with  them,  what  is  to  become  of  us  in  the 
spring,  when  our  force  will  be  collected  with  the  aid, 
perhaps,  of  militia,  to  take  advantage  of  an  early 
campaign  before  the  enemy  can  be  reinforced  ? — 
These  are  considerations  of  great  magnitude,  merit- 
ing the  closest  attention,  and  will,  when  my  own 
reputation  is  so  intimately  connected  with,   and  to 
be  affected  by  the  event,  justify  my  saving,  that  the 
present  commissaries  are  by  no  means  equal  to  the 


1777.]  I-IFE    ®y    WASHINGTON.  183 

execution  of  their  office,  or  that  the  disaffection  of  the 
people  is  past  all  belief.  The  misfortune,  however, 
does  in  my  opinion,  proceed  from  both  causes,  and 
though  I  have  been  tender  heretofore  of  giving  any 
opinion,  or  of  lodging  complnints,  as  the  change  in 
that  department  took  place  contrary  to  my  judg- 
ment, and  the  consequences  theicof  were  predicted  ; 
yet  finding  that  the  inactivity  of  the  army,  whether 
for  want  of  provisions,  clothes,  or  other  essentials, 
is  charged  to  my  account,  not  only  by  the  common 
vulgar,  but  by  those  in  po'\\tr,  it  is  time  to  speak 
plain,  in  exculpation  of  myself.  With  truth  then  I 
can  declare,  that  no  man,  in  my  opinion,  ever  had 
his  measures  more  impeded  thai:  I  have,  by  every 
department  of  the  army.  Since  the  month  of  July, 
we  have  had  no  assistance  from  the  Quarter  Master 
General ;  and  to  want  of  assistance  from  this  depart- 
ment, the  Commissary  General  charges  great  part  of 
his  deficiency.  To  this  I  am  to  add,  that  notwith- 
standing it  is  a  standing  order  (and  often  repeated)  that 
the  troops  shall  aUva}  s  have  two  days  p.r^vi^ion  by 
them,  that  they  m.ight  be  ready  at  any  sudden  call ; 
yet  scarcely  any  opportunity  has  ever  offered  of  tak- 
ing advantage  of  the  enemy,  that  has  not  been  either 
totally  obstructed,  or  greatly  impeded  on  this  ac- 
count :  And  this,  the  great  and  crying  evil,  is  not 
all ;  soap,  vinegar  and  other  articles  allowed  by  Con- 
gress, we  see  none  of,  nor  have  we  seen  them,  I  be- 
lieve, since  the  battle  of  Brandy  wine.  The  first, 
indeed,  ive  have  now  little  occasion  for ;  kw  men 
having  more  than  one  shirt,  many,  only  the  moiety 
of  one,  and  some,  none  at  all.     In  addition  to  which. 


1^4  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [l777i 

as  a  proof  of  the  little  benefit  from  a  Clothier  Gen- 
eral, and,  at  the  same  time,  as  a  further  proof  of  the 
inability  of  an  army  under  the  circumstances  of  this, 
to  perform  the  common  duties  of  soldiers  (besides  a 
number  of  men  confined   to  hospitals  for  want  of 
shoes,  and  others  in  farmers'  houses  on  the  same 
account)  we  have,  by  a  field  return  this  day  made,  no 
less  than  two  thousand  eight   hundred  and  ninety- 
eight  men,  now  in  camp,  unfit  for  duty,  because 
they  are  barefoot,  and   otherwise  naked.     By  the 
same  return,  it  appears,  that  our  whole  strength  in 
continental  troops  (including  the  eastern  brigades 
which  have  joined  us  since  the  surrender  of  General 
Burgoyne)  exclusive  of  the  Maryland  troops  sent  to 
Wilmington,  amounts  to  no  more  than  eight  thous* 
and  two  hundred  in  camp,  fit  for  duty  ;  notwith- 
standing which,  and  that   since  the  fourth  instant, 
our  number  fit  for  duty,  from  the  hardships  and  ex- 
posures they  have  undergone,  particularly  from  the 
want  of  blankets,  have  decreased  near  two  thousand 
men,  we  find  gentlemen,  without  knowing  whether 
the  army  was  really  going  into  winter  quarters  or 
not,  (for  I  am  sure  no  resolution  of  mine  would  war- 
rant the   remonstrance)  reprobating  the  measure  as 
much  as  if  they  thought  the  soldiers  were  made  of 
stocks,  or  stones,  and  equally  insensible  of  frost  and 
snow  ;  and  moreover,  as  if  they  conceived  it  easily 
practicable  for  an  inferiour  army,  under  the  disadvan- 
tages I  have  described  ours  to  be,  which  is  by  no 
means  exaggerated,  to  confine  a  superiour  one,  in  all 
respects  well  appointed,  and  provided  for  a  winter's 
campaign,  within  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  to 


1777.]  i-IF£    OF     WASHINGTON.  18^ 

cover  from  depredation  and  waste,  the  states  oF 
Pennsylvania,  Jersey,  Stc.  But  vvliat  makes  this 
matter  still  more  extraordinary  in  my  eyes  is,  that 
these  very  gentlemen,  who  were  well  apprized  of  the 
nakedness  of  the  troops,  from  ocular  demonstration, 
\vho  thoui^ht  their  own  soldiers  wori^e  clad  than  ours, 
and  advised  me,  near  a  month  ago,  to  postpone  the 
execution  of  a  plan  I  was  about  to  adopt,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  resolve  of  Congress,  for  seizing  clothes, 
under  strong  assurances,  that  an  ample  supply  would 
be  collected  in  ten  days,  agreeably  to  a  decree  of  the 
state,  not  one  article  of  which  by  the  by,  is  yet  come 
to  hand,  should  think  a  winter's  campaign,  and  the 
covering  these  states  from  the  invasion  of  an  enemy, 
so  easy  and  practicable  a  business.  I  can  assure 
those  gentlemen,  that  it  is  a  much  easier  and  less* 
distressing  thing  to  draw  remonstrances  in  a  com- 
fortable room,  by  a  good  fire  side,  than  to  occupy  a 
cold  bleak  hill,  and  sleep  under  frost  and  snow  with- 
out clothes  or  blankets  :  However,  although  they 
seem  to  have  little  feeling  for  the  naked  and  distress- 
ed soldiers,  I  feel  superabundantly  for  them,  and 
from  my  soul,  pity  those  miseries  \\hich  it  is  not  in 
mv  power  either  to  relieve  or  to  prevent." 

All  these  efforts  to  displace  the  Commander  iii 
Chief  were  unavailing,  and  served  only  to  expose 
their  authors  to  the  resentment  of  the  community. 
He  v/as  too  well  established  in  the  confidence  of  the 
army,  and  of  the  great  body  of  the  nation,  to  be 
Inoved  from  his  elevated,  but  arduous  trust.  Even 
the  victorious  troops,  which  served  under  General 
Gates,  indignantly  noticed  the  attempt  to  raise  him 

A  A 


186  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1778. 

• 

to  the  place  of  their  beloved  General.  The  re- 
sentment of  the  main  army  against  those,  who  were 
known  to  be  the  active  enemies  of  General  Wash- 
ington, was  so  great,  that  none  of  them  dared  ap- 
pear in  camp  :  General  Conway  found  it  necessary 
to  resign  his  commission.  He  afterwards  fought  a 
duel  with  General  Cadwallader,  and  thinking  him- 
self to  be  mortally  wounded  wrote  General  Wash- 
ington the  following  letter. 

"  I  find  myself  just  able  to  hold  the  pen  during 
a  few  minutes,  and  take  this  opportunity  to  express 
my  sincere  grief  for  having  done,  written,  or  said 
any  thing  disagreeable  to  your  Excellency.  My 
career  will  soon  be  over  ;  therefore,  justice  and  truth 
prompt  me  to  declare  my  last  sentiments.  You  are, 
in  my  eyes,  the  great  and  good  man.  May  you  long 
enjoy  the  love,  veneration  and  esteem  of  these  states, 
whose  liberties  you  have  asserted  by  your  virtues." 

1778.  The  sufferings  of  the  army  during  this 
winter  for  provision  and  clothing  were  extreme. — 
The  departments  of  the  Commissary  General  and 
Quarter  Master  General  were  not  yet  well  arranged. 
The  depreciation  of  the  paper  currency  embarrassed 
all  purchases,  and  this  embarrassment  was  increas- 
ed by  the  injudicious  attempt  to  regulate  by  law  the 
prices  of  articles  of  consumption  and  traffick.  The 
enemy  possessed  a  number  of  the  trading  towns  of 
the  United  States,  and  the  commerce  of  the  others 
was  interrupted  by  their  ships  of  war.  These  caus- 
es combined,  produced  a  famine  in  camp,  and  ren- 
dered a  great  part  of  the  army  incapable  of  service 
for  the  want  of  clothing.    Although  the  Commander 


1778.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  187 

in  Chief  applied  all  the  means  in  his  power  to  rem- 
edy these  evils,  yet  from  them,  he  apprehended  the 
dissolution  of  the  army.  In  December  he  issued  a 
proclamation,  calling  upon  all  the  farmers  within 
seventy  miles  of  Head  Quarters,  to  thresh  out  one 
half  of  their  grain  by  the  1st  of  February  ;  and  the 
other  half  by  the  1st  of  March,  on  penalty  of  having 
it  all  seized  as  straw.  Detachments  were  also  sent 
out  to  collect  all  animals  fit  for  slaughter,  leaving  on- 
ly a  competence  for  the  use  of  the  Inhabitants.  But 
notwithstanding  all  this  vigilance  and  exertion,  the 
supplies  were  inadequate.  Early  in  February,  the 
country  in  the  neighbourhood  of  camp  became  ex- 
hausted, and  the  Commissaries  communicated  to  the 
General,  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  them  to 
supply  the  army  beyond  the  first  of  March.  Gen- 
eral Washington  looked  towards  New  England 
as  the  only  effectual  source  of  necessary  supplies. 
He  accordingly  addressed  letters  to  the  Executives 
of  these  states,  painting  in  glowing  colours,  the  con- 
dition of  the  army,  and  urging  these  constituted  au- 
thorities, by  every  motive  of  patriotism  and  honour, 
to  forward  provisions  to  his  camp.  These  applica- 
tions were  ultimately  successful  ;  but  before  relief 
in  this  v/ay  could  be  afforded,  the  scarcity  was  so 
great,  as  to  threaten  the  total  destruction  of  the  ar- 
my. The  soldiers  were  at  times  without  meat,  for 
two,  three,  and  in  one  instance,  for  five  days. 

The  distress  of  the  army  for  the  want  of  clothing 
was  almost  as  great  as  that  for  want  of  provisions. 
Of  more  than  seventeen  thousand  men  in  camp,  the 


188  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON,  [177S. 

effectives  amounted  to  only  five  thousand  and  twelve. 
In  February,  three  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
elghtynine  were  unfit  for  duty  by  nakedness.  The 
insufficiency  of  the  clothes  of  those,  who  were  call- 
ed effectives,  exposed  them  to  colds  and  other  con- 
sequent indispositions,  and  the  hospitals  were  filled 
with  the  sick. 

General  Washington  happily  possessed  those 
commanding  and  conciliatory  talents,  which  strong- 
ly attached  the  soldiery  to  his  person,  and  by  the  in- 
fluence of  his  character  he  stifled  every  appearance  of 
mutiny.  In  general  orders  he  soothed  the  minds  of 
his  troops,  and  in  their  imaginations  lessened  those 
evils,  which  in  his  addresses  to  Congress  and  to  the 
State  Governments,  he  was  labouring  to  remove. 
Very  few  of  the  native  Americans  deserted  from  the 
army  during  this  winter  ;  but  many  of  the  foreign- 
ers left  their  standards,  and  some  of  them  fled  with 
their  arms  to  the  British  camp. 

Had  Sir  William  Howe  marched  out  of  his  win- 
ter quarters  and  assaulted  the  American  camp,  the 
want  of  provision  and  clothing,  would  have  com- 
pelled the  army,  without  serious  contention,  to  dis- 
perse. But  that  cautious  commander  was  restrain, 
ed  from  the  enterprise,  from  a  regard  to  the  health 
and  safety  of  his  own  troops.  Perhaps  he  did  not 
fully  know  the  condition  of  the  American  soldiery. 

While  General  Washington  was  actively  em- 
ployed in  supplying  his  troops,  his  mind  was  deep- 
ly  engaged  on  a  plan  to  recruit  the  army  for  the  ap- 
proaching campaign. 


]1778.[|  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  l69 

From  jealousy  of  a  standing  army,  or  in  the  pros- 
pect of  redress  of  grievances  by  the  British  govern- 
jiient,  Congress  depending  on  annual  inlistments, 
and  on  the  aid  of  the  militia,  had  neglected  to  inlist 
men  for  the  war,  until  the  depreciation  of  the  paper 
currency,  the  hardships  and  privations  of  the  soldiers, 
and  the  high  bounty  paid  for  short  periods  of  ser- 
vice, rendered  the  measure  impracticable.  General 
Washington  importuned  Congress  and  the  gov- 
ernments of  the  respective  States,  not  to  rely  on  for- 
eign aid,  but  dependingon  the  strength  and  resources 
of  the  country,  to  make  the  necessary  exertions  sea- 
sonably to  meet  the  operations  of  the  British  General. 

He  gave  an  exact  account  to  each  State  of  its 
troops  on  the  continental  establishment,  and  urged 
them  respectively  to  supply  their  deficiency. 

The  serious  difficulties  respecting  the  army  induc- 
ed Congress  to  depute  a  Committee  of  their  own  body 
to  the  camp,  to  consult  with  the  General,  and  report 
to  them  such  plans  as  the  publick  interest  required. 
This  committee  repaired  to  Head  Quarters  in  Janu- 
ary. The  General,  having  taken  the  advice  of  his 
Officers,  presented  to  them  a  memorial  stating  the 
difficulties  that  existed  in  the  army,  and  pointing  out 
the  remedies.  In  these  remedies  was  included  that 
honourable  provision  for  officers,  which  would  make 
their  commissions  valuable,  and  secure  the  prompt 
execution  of  duty,  through  fear  of  censure,  and  from 
an  apprehension  of  t!ie  loss  of  employment. 

The  representations  of  General  WASifiNGTON 
produced,  in  a  good  degree,  tlieir  effict.  The  divi- 
sion of  power  i:i  the  subordinate  departments  of  the 


190  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1778. 

army  which  had  destroyed  all  responsibility,  and  cre- 
ated endless  confusion,  was  removed.  General 
Green  \vas  appointed  Quarter  Master  General,  and 
Colonel  Wadsworth  Commissary  General.  These 
officers  had  a  controuling  power  over  their  deputies, 
and  under  their  management  these  departments  were 
greatly  improved.  The  movements  of  the  army 
were  from  this  period  made  with  facility,  and  the 
soldiers  never  afterwards  suffered  privations  like 
those  of  this  winter. 

The  alliance  of  France  with  America,  and  the 
subsequent  cooperation  of  that  power  with  the  Unit- 
ed States  rendered  Philadelphia  a  dangerous  post 
for  the  British.  Before  the  campaign  opened,  Sir 
William  Howe  resigned  the  command  of 
^"^^  ^^-  the  British  army,  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
with  his  commission  as  Commander  in  Chief,  re- 
ceived orders  to  evacuate  that  city.  General  Wash- 
ington early  penetrated  this  intention,  and  made 
his  arrangements  to  meet  it.  He  was  uncertain 
whether  the  evacuation  would  be  made  by  water,  or 
whether  Sir  Henry  would  march  his  army  through 
Jersey  to  New  York.  As  circumstances  strength- 
ened the  probability  that  the  British  commander 
would  attempt  a  passage  through  New  Jersey,  Gen- 
eral Washington  detached  General  Maxwell  with 
the  Jersey  brigade  over  the  Delaware,  to  take  post 
on  Mount  Holly,  and  with  the  assistance  of  the  Jer- 
sey militia,  to  obstruct  the  progress  of  the  enemy. 
He  was  directed  to  fell  trees,  to  break  up  bridges, 
and  to  hang  upon  the  flanks  of  the  British  army. 


1778.]  LITE    OF     WASHINGTON.  191 

When  it  was  fully  ascertained  that  Sir 
*  Henry  Clinton  was  crossing  the  Delaware, 
General  Washington  required  the  opinion  of  his 
officers  respecting  measures  proper  to  be  pursued. 
General  Lee,  who,  having  been  exchanged,  had  now 
joined  the  army,  Avas  -decidedly  against  a  general 
action,  and  he  discountenanced  even  a  partial  attack, 
on  the  supposition  that  it  would  probably  bring  on 
a  general  engagement.  In  this  opinion,  the  officers 
almost  unanimously  concurred.  Of  seventeen  Gen- 
erals, who  composed  the  military  Council,  on  this 
occasion.  General  Wayne  and  General  Cadwallader 
only  were  decidedly  in  favour  of  an  engagement. 
General  Green  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  the  coun- 
try should  be  defended,  and  that  if  this  lead  to  an 
engagement,  he  would  not  shun  it. 

Although  many  of  their  stores  u  ere  taken  down 
the  river  in  the  shipping,  yet  the  British  army  was 
encumbered  with  an  immense  quantity  of  baggage  ; 
and  their  line  of  march  extended  twelve  miles.  The 
weather  being  intensely  hot,  their  movements  were 
very  slow ;  in  seven  days,  they  marched  only  for- 
ty miles.  On  the  24th,  General  Clinton  reached 
Allenton,  and  it  was  yet  uncertain  w  hether  he  would 
take  the  road  to  Amboy,  or  to  Sandy  Hook.  Gen- 
eral Washington  therefore  kept  upon  the  high 
lands  of  New  Jersey,  above  the  enemy.  In  this  sit- 
uation, he  had  it  in  his  power  to  fight  or  not,  as  cir- 
cumstances should  dictate.  By  the  slow  movement 
of  the  enemy,  he  was  inclined  to  think  that  Sir  Hen- 
ry wished  for  an  engagement.  Colonel  Morgan, 
with  his  regiment  consisting  of  six  hundred  men, 


192  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON".  [1778. 

was  detached  to  gain  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy, 
and  ordered  to  annoy  him  in  every  possible  way. 
General  Cadvvallader,  with  Jackson's  regiment,  and 
a  small  corps  of  militia,  was  ordered  to  harass  his 
rear. 

The  British  army  at  this  time  was  calculated  at 
ten  thousand  men,  and  the  American  army  consisted 
of  between  ten  and  eleven  thousand.  Although  the 
late  Council  decided,  by  a  large  majority  against  a 
general  engagement,  yet  General  Washington 
inclined  to  the  measure.  He  again  summoned  his 
officers,  and  took  their  opinion,  "  whether  it  was  ad- 
visable to  seek  a  general  action  ?  If  advisable,  is  it 
best  to  attack  with  the  whole  army,  to  bring  on  a 
general  engagement,  by  a  partial  attack,  or  to  take  a 
position  that  shall  oblige  the  enemy  to  make  an  as- 
sault upon  us  ?"  The  Council  again  determined 
against  a  general  engagement  ;  but  advised  to 
strengthen  the  detachments  on  the  wirgs  of  the  en- 
emy. General  Scott  was,  in  consequence,  detach- 
ed with  fifteen  hundred  men  to  this  service. 

Having  a  force  rather  superiour  to  the  British, 
General  Washington  conceived  that  the  favoura- 
ble opportunity  to  attack  the  enemy,  ought  not  to  be 
lost,  and  on  his  own  responsibility,  resolved  to  haz- 
ard a  general  engagement. 

Having  learned  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
was  moving  towards  Monmouth  Court 
House,  he  detached  Brigadier  Wayne  with  a  thous- 
and men  to  reinforce  the  troops  in  advance.  He  of- 
fered the  command  of  the  whole  force  in  front  to 
General  Lee  ;  but  he,  being  opposed  even  to  partial 


1778.]  LtFE    of    WASHINGTON.  193^ 

actions  with  the  enemy,  declined  the  service.  The 
Marquis  La  Fayette  joyfully  accepted  the  command, 
which  his  senior  Major  General  had  declined.  The 
orders  given  to  the  Marquis  were  similar  to  those 
which  had  before  been  given  to  the  officers  on  the 
lines,  to  gain  the  rear  and  right  flank  of  the  enemy, 
and  give  him  all  possible  annoyance.  The  Com- 
mander in  Chief  put  the  main  army  in  motion,  that 
he  might  be  in  a  situation  to  support  his  parties  in 
advance.  By  these  movements  General  Lee  per- 
ceived, that  more  importance  than  he  had  imagined 
was  given  to  the  division  in  front,  and  he  now  im- 
portunately requested  the  command,  which  before 
he  had  declined.  To  gratify  him  without  mortify- 
ing the  Marquis,  he  was  detached  with  two  addition- 
al brigades  to  act  in  front,  and  the  command  of  the 
whole,  consisting  of  five  thousand  men,  of  course 
devolved  on  him.  He  was  ordered  to  keep  his  de- 
tachments constantly  on  their  arms  and  ever  in  a  sit- 
uation to  attack. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  perceiving  the  approach  of  a 
powerful  force,  changed  the  position  of  his  army, 
and  placed  his  best  troops  in  the  rear.  On  the  27th, 
he  encamped  in  a  secure  manner  on  the  heights  a- 
bout  Monmouth  Court  House.  He  could  not  be  at- 
tacked in  this  position  with  the  probability  of  suc- 
cess, and  he  was  within  twelve  miles  of  strong 
ground,  where  he  could  not  be  assailed.  General 
Washington  therefore  resolved  to  attack  him  as 
soon  as  he  should  move  from  his  present  encamp- 
ment. 

s  s 


-194  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1778. 

June  28.  About  five  in  the  morning,  the  Com- 

mander in  Chief  was  informed  that  the 
front  of  the  British  army  was  in  motion  ;  he  imme- 
diately dispatched  an  Aid  de  camp  to  General  Lee 
with  orders  to  mo\'e  on  and  attack  the  rear  of  the  en- 
emy, "  unless  there  should  be  powerful  reasons  to 
the  contrary,"  assuring  him  that  the  main  body 
should  seasonably  move  to  support  him. 

From  the  movements  of  the  American  army,  Sir 
Henry  expected  an  attack.  Early  on  the  morning  of 
the  28th,  General  Knyphausen  marched  with  all  the 
baggage  of  the  British  army.  The  grenadiers,  light 
infantry  and  chasseurs,  unincumbered,  remained  on 
the  ground  under  the  command  of  Lord  Cornwallis, 
and  with  this  division  was  Sir  Henry, 

Having  allowed  time  for  General  Knyphausen  to 
move  out  of  his  way.  Lord  Cornwallis  about  eight 
o'clock  took  up  his  line  of  march,  and  descended 
from  the  lieights  of  I  rcehold  into  a  plain  of  about 
three  miles  extent.  General  Lee  made  his  disposi- 
tion to  execute  the  orders  of  the  Commander  in 
Chief.  Passing  the  heights  of  Freehold,  he  enter- 
ed the  plain,  and  ordered  General  Wayne  to  attack 
the  rear  of  the  covering  party  of  the  enemy  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  halt  them  ;  while  he  himself  by  a 
shorter  road  should  gain  their  front,  with  the  design 
to  cut  them  off  from  the  main  body  of  their  army. 

In  the  mean  time  General  Clinton  perceiving 
that  strong  columns  of  Americans  were  hanging  up- 
on both  his  flanks,  and  supposing  that  their  object 
was  to  attack  his  baggage  now  passing  through  de- 
files, resolved  to  halt  Lord  Cornwallis's  division  and 


1778.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  195 

attack  the  Americans  in  his  rear,  \vith  the  expecta- 
tion, that  General  Washington  by  this  manoeuvre 
would  be  induced  to  recall  his  detachments  in  ad- 
vance. This  movement  was  made  at  the  moment, 
Lee  was  reconnoitring  their  covering  party.  He 
found  this  corps  much  stronger  than  he  had  suppos- 
ed it  to  be,  and  the  ground  he  thought  unfavourable 
for  an  attack.  In  his  rear  was  a  morass  which  could 
be  passed  only  by  a  neck  of  hard  land,  which  ren- 
dered it  difficult  for  reinforcements  to  reach  him, 
and  would  impede  his  retreat  should  he  be  repulsed, 
He  was  finally  induced  by  a  movement  of  General 
Scott,  to  cross  the  ravine  and  regain  the  heights  of 
Freehold. 

During  these  manoeuvres,  some  skirmishing  took 
place.  As  soon  as  General  Washington  heard 
the  firing,  he  directed  the  troops  under  his  immedi- 
ate command,  to  throw  off  their  packs  and  march 
rapidly  to  the  support  of  the  division  in  the  front, 
General  Lee  gave  no  information  of  his  retrograde 
manoeuvre  to  the  Commander  in  Chief.  As  Gen- 
eral  Washington  was  approaching  the  scene  of 
action  in  advance  of  his  troops,  he  met,  to  his  sur- 
prise and  mortification,  the  corps  of  General  Lee  re- 
treating before  the  enemy,  without  having  made  any 
serious  efforts  to  maintain  their  ground.  He  found 
General  Lee  in  the  rear  of  his  division,  whom  he  ad- 
dressed with  warmth,  and  in  language  disapproving 
bis  retreat.  He  immediately  ordered  two  regiments 
to  form  on  ground  favourable  to  check  the  advanc- 
ing enemy.  He  asked  General  Lee,  will  you  com- 
mand on  this  ground  ?  Consenting',  he  was  prdere4 


196  LITE     OF     WASHINGTON.  [1778. 

to  arrange  the  remainder  of  his  division  and  to  take 
measures  to  stop  the  advance  of  the  British.  ' '  Your 
orders,"  Lee  repHed,  "  shall  be  obeyed,  and  I  will 
not  be  the  first  to  leave  the  field."  The  Command- 
er  in  Chief  returned  to  the  main  body  and  formed  it 
for  action.  The  division  of  Lee  now  bravely  sus- 
tained a  severe  conflict  with  the  van  of  the  British, 
and  when  forced  from  the  ground,  Lee  brought  his 
troops  off  in  order,  and  formed  them  in  rear  of  Eng- 
lish  Town. 

The  clieck  the  enemy  received,  enabled  General 
Washington  to  form  the  left  wing  and  second  line 
of  the  army  on  an  eminence.  Lord  Sterling,  who 
commanded  this  wing,  planted  a  battery  of  cannon 
and  played  with  effect  upon  the  British  column, 
which  had  passed  the  morass  and  was  pressing  on  to 
charge  the  Americans.  At  the  same  time  a  body  of 
infantry  was  brought  into  action.  The  advance  of 
the  enemy  was  by  these  measures  stopped. 

General  Green  who  on  this  day  commanded  the 
right  wing  of  the  American  army,  had  left  the  direct 
road  near  English  Town  and  moved  upon  the 
right,  as  a  security  to  this  flank  of  the  army,  and  had 
rather  passed  the  ground  on  which  the  action  be- 
gan. Learning  the  situation  of  General  Washing- 
ton, he  brought  up  his  division,  and  took  an  advan- 
tageous position  on  the  right. 

The  enemy  now  attempted  to  turn  the  left  flank 
of  the  Americans,  but  were  repulsed  by  parties  of 
infantry.  They  then  assailed  the  right  wing,  and 
here  too  they  failed.  General  Green  had  posted  a 
body  of  troops  with  artillery  on  commanding  ground 


J778.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  IfV 

in  his  front,  which  severely  galled  the  enemy.  At 
this  period  General  Wayne  advanced  with  a  strong 
corps  of  infantry  and  in  a  close  and  well  directed 
fire  attacked  them  in  front.  They  gave  way  and 
fell  behind  the  ravine  to  the  ground,  on  which  the 
Commander  in  Chief  met  General  Lee  in  the  morn- 
ing. On  this  ground  the  British  formed  in  a  strong 
position.  Both  flanks  were  covered  by  woods  and 
morasses,  and  their  front  could  be  attacked  only 
through  a  narrow  pass. 

General  Washington,  even  under  these  cir- 
cumstances, determined  to  renew  the  engagement. 
In  pursuance  of  this  resolution,  he  ordered  Brigadier 
Poor  to  gain  the  right  flank  of  the  British,  and  Brig- 
adier Woodford  their  left.  The  artillery  was  direct- 
ed to  play  upon  them  in  front.  Before  these  orders 
could  be  effectually  carried  into  execution,  the  day 
was  fully  spent.  The  General  therefore  determin- 
ed to  defer  the  attack  until  the  next  morning.  He 
ordered  the  troops  to  retain  their  respective  posi- 
tions, and  to  lay  on  their  arms.  The  General  in  the 
course  of  the  day  had  shunned  no  danger,  and  he 
slept  in  his  cloak  amidst  his  soldiers  on  the  field  of 
battle. 

At  midnight,  the  British  moved  off  their  giound 
with  such  silence,  that  General  Poor  although  very 
near  did  not  perceive  it.  General  Washington 
knew  that  the  British  army  would  reach  high  and 
unassailable  ground  before  he  could  come  up  with 
them,  and  therefore  discontinued  the  pursuit.  He 
dispatched  small  parties  of  light  troops  to  protect  the 
lEOuntry  from  depredation  and  to  encourage  deser- 


198  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1778. 

tion.  The  main  body  of  his  army  he  marched  to 
cover  the  important  passes  in  the  high  lands  on 
the  Hudson. 

General  Washington  was  satisfied  with  the 
behaviour  of  his  army  on  this  day.  In  his  official 
communication  to  Congress  he  mentioned  that  after 
the  troops  had  recovered  from  the  surprise  of  the  un- 
expected retreat  of  the  morning,  their  conduct  could 
not  have  been  surpassed.  General  Wayne  m  as  no- 
ticed with  great  commendation,  and  the  artillery 
corps  was  said  to   have  highly  distinguished  itself. 

In  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  eight  officers  and 
sixtyone  privates  of  the  Americans  were  killed ; 
and  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  wounded.  Among 
the  killed  were  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bonner  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  Major  Dickinson  of  Virginia,  officers 
of  merit,  whose  fall  was  much  lamented.  The  Amer- 
icans buried  about  three  hundred  of  the  British, 
who  had  been  found  on  the  field  ;  although  sir  Hen- 
ry Clinton,  in  his  official  letter,  stated  his  loss  in  kill- 
ed and  missing  at  four  officers  and  one  hundred  and 
eightyfour  privates,  and  his  wounded  at  sixteen  of- 
ficers and  one  hundred  and  fiftyfour  privates.  A- 
mong  the  slain  was  the  Honourable  Colonel  Monck- 
ton,  an  officer  of  celebrity.  The  day  had  been  ex- 
cessively hot,  and  numbers,  both  British  and  Amer- 
icans were  found  among  the  dead  without  wounds, 
who  had  fallen  victims  to  the  heat. 

The  Americans  made  about  an  hundred  prison- 
ers, and  nearly  a  thousand  privates,  mostly  Germans, 
deserted  the  British  standard,  on  the  march  through 
New  Jersey. 


1778.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  193 

Congress  highly  approved  of  the  conduct  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief  in  bringing  on  the  action  of 
the  28th,  and  was  gratified  with  its  issue.  In  a  res- 
olution, which  passed  that  body  unanimously,  their 
thanks  were  given  to  General  Washington  "for 
the  activity  w  ith  which  he  moved  from  the  camp  at 
Valley  Forge,  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  ;  for  his  dis- 
tinguished exertions  in  forming  the  line  of  battle ; 
and  for  his  great,  good  conduct  in  the  action."^  He 
was  requested  *'  to  signify  the  thanks  of  Congress 
to  the  officers  and  men  under  his  command,  who  dis- 
tinguished themselves  by  their  conduct  and  valour 
in  the  battle." 

Although  the  Commander  in  Chief  disapproved 
of  the  retreat,  yet  could  the  proud  spirit  of  General 
Lee  have  patiently  born  what  he  considered  as  a  rep- 
remand  on  the  field  of  battle,  it  is  probable  that  an 
explanation  mutually  satisfactory  might  have  taken 
place.  General  Washington  continued  him  in 
command  on  the  day  of  action,  after  his  retreat,  and 
discovered  no  disposition  to  take  publick  notice  of 
it.  But  the  irritable  and  lofty  spirit  of  Lee  urged 
him  to  write  the  next  day  two  offensive  letters  to 
General  Washington,  in  which,  assuming  the  lan- 
guage of  a  superiour,  he  demanded  satisfaction  for  the 
insult  offered  him  on  the  field  of  battle.  On  delibera- 
tion, the  Commander  in  Chief  informed  him  "that  he 
should  have  an  opportunity  to  justify  himself  to  the 
army,  to  America  and  the  world,  or  of  convincing 
them,  that  he  had  been  guilty  of  breach  of  orders 
and  misconduct  before  the  enemy."  General  Lee, 
«xpressing  his  desire  for  a  Court  Martialin  prefer- 


200  LIFE    OP     WASHINGTON.  [l77&i 

crence  to  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  was  arrested  upon  the 
following  charges, 

1.  For  disobedience  of  orders  in  not  attacking  the 
enemy  on  the  28th  of  June  agreeably  to  repeated 
instructions. 

2.  For  misbehaviour  before  the  enemy  on  the  same 
day,  by  making  an  unneccessary,  disorderly  and 
shameful  retreat. 

3.  For  disrespect  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  in 
two  letters. 

The  high  colouring  of  the  second  charge  was 
in  consequence  of  complaints  entered  by  Generals 
Wayne  and  Scott,  against  General  Lee,  w  hich  on 
investigation  appeared  to  have  been  founded  in  their 
misapprehending  his  movements.  Lord  Sterling 
presided  at  the  court,  which  found  him  guilty  of  all 
the  charges,  but  softened  the  language  of  the  second, 
and  found  him  guilty  of  misbehaviour,  by  making 
an  unnecessary,  and  in  some  few  instances  a  disor- 
derly retreat.  The  court  sentenced  him  to  be  sus- 
pended from  his  command  for  one  year. 

Congress,  with  some  hesitation,  almost  unani- 
mously approved  the  sentence. 

The  suspension  of  General  Lee  was  highly  satis- 
factory to  the  army.  They  keenly  resented  his 
abuse  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and  his  continu-- 
ance  in  commission  probably  would  have  produced 
great  inconvenience. 

Scarce!}  had  Sir  Henry  Clinton  reached  New 
York,  when  a  French  fleet  appeared  off"  the  Chesa- 
peak,  under  the  command  of  Count  d'Estaing.  He 
had  been  eightyseven  days  in  crossing  the  Atlan- 


1778.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  201 

tick.  Had  his  passage  been  an  ordinary  one,  he 
would  have  found  Lord  Howe  in  the  Delaware,  and 
the  capture  or  destruction  of  the  British  fleet  in  that 
river,  and  probably  of  the  army  in  Philadelphia,  must 
have  been  the  consequence.  Count  d'Estaing  be- 
ing disappointed  at  the  Delaware,  sailed  along  the 
coast  to  Sandy  Hook.  General  Washington 
moved  his  army  to  the  White  Plains,  that  he  might 
be  in  a  situation  to  cooperate  with  the  French  Ad- 
miral against  New  York. 

In  the  mean  time,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  employed 
his  whole  force  to  strengthen  his  lines.  The  French 
Admiral  finding  an  attack  upon  New  York  imprac- 
ticable, a  conjoint  expedition  was  planned  against 
Rhode  Island. 

At  the  critical  moment  when  the  success  of  the 
united  action  of  the  French  and  American  army 
was  reduced  to  a  moral  certainty.  Count  d'Estaing 
sailed  out  of  the  harbour  of  Newport  to  fight  Lord 
Howe.  Being  overtaken  by  a  violent  storm,  his 
fleet  was  greatly  damaged,  and  he  thought  it  advis- 
able to  repair  to  Boston  harbour  to  refit. 

In  consequence  of  the  harbour  of  Newport  be- 
ing opened  to  the  British,  General  Sullivan,  the 
commanding  officer  upon  Rhode  Island,  was  com- 
pelled to  retreat.  He  and  his  general  officers  had 
remonstrated  against  Count  d'Estaing  leaving  New- 
port, and  in  the  moment  of  disappointment  and  irri- 
tation at  the  failure  of  the  expedition.  General  Sulli- 
van in  orders,  used  expressions,  which  were  con- 
strued into  a  severe  reflection  upon  the  French  Ad- 
e  c 


^0^  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON  [I778j 

miral  and  other  marine  officers,  and  which  they  re- 
sented. 

General  Washington,  alarmed  at  the  proba- 
ble consequences  of  a  misunderstanding  and  jeal- 
ousy between  the  French  and  Americans,  so  soon 
after  the  alliance  was  formed,  and  in  the  very  com- 
mencement of  their  united  operations,  immediately 
adopted  measures  to  prevent  them.  In  letters  to 
Generals  Heath  and  Sullivan,  he  communicated  the 
mode  of  conduct  which  he  wished  might  in  this  del- 
icate transaction  be  pursued. 

To  Heath,  who  commanded  in  Boston,  he  ex- 
pressed his  apprehension  that  resentment  of  the 
conduct  of  the  Count  might  prevent  the  proper  ex- 
ertion to  repair  and  victual  the  French  fleet,  and  he 
urged  Heath  to  counteract  such  prejudices. 

"  It  will  certainly  be  sound  policy  to  combat  th6 
effects,  and  whatever  private  opinions  may  be  enter- 
tained, to  give  the  best  construction  of  what  has 
happened  to  the  publick  ;  and  at  the  same  time,  to 
exert  ourselves  to  put  the  French  fleet,  as  soon  as 
possible,  in  a  condition  to  defend  itself,  and  be  use- 
ful to  us.  The  departure  of  the  fleet  from  Rhode 
Island  is  not  yet  publickly  announced  here ;  but  when 
it  is,  I  intend  to  ascribe  it  to  necessity  produced  by 
the  damage  received  in  the  late  storm.  This,  it  ap- 
pears to  me,  is  the  idea  which  ought  to  be  generally- 
propagated.  As  I  doubt  not,  the  force  of  these 
reasons  will  strike  you  equally  with  myself,  I  would 
recommend  to  you  to  use  your  utmost  influence  to 
palliate  and  soften  matters,  and  to  induce  those, 
whose  business  it  is,  to  provide  succours  of  every 


1778.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  203 

|cind  for  the  fleet,  to  employ  their  utmost  zeal  and 
activity  in  doing  it.  It  is  our  duty  to  make  the  best 
of  our  misfortunes,  and  not  suffer  passion  to  interr 
fere  with  our  interest  and  the  publick  good." 

To  General  Sullivan  he  mentioned  "  his  appre= 
hension  that  should  the  expedition  fail,  in  conse- 
cjuence  of  being  abandoned  by  the  French  fleet,  loud 
complaints  might  be  made  by  the  officers  en)ployed 
on  it.  Prudence,'*  he  said  "  dictated  the  propriety 
of  giving  this  affair  the  best  appearance,  and  of  at- 
tributing the  withdrawing  the  fleet  from  Rhode 
Island,  to  absolute  necessity.  The  reasons,"  he 
added,  "  for  this  line  of  conduct,  Mere  too  obviou? 
to  need  explanation.  That  of  most  importance  was 
that  their  enemies,  both  internal  and  external,  would 
seize  the  first  cause  of  disgust  between  the  allies, 
and  endeavour  to  convert  it  into  a  serious  rupture." 

When  the  General  received  the  resolution  of 
Congress,  directing  him  to  take  every  measure  in 
his  power  to  prevent  the  publication  of  the  protest 
entered  into  by  General  Sullivan  and  his  officers,  he 
communicated  the  resolution  and  with  it  the  follow- 
ing letter.  "  The  disagreement  between  the  army  un- 
der your  command,  and  the  fleet,  has  given  me  very 
singular  uneasiness.  The  continent  at  large  is  con- 
cerned in  our  cordiality,  and  it  should  be  kept  up  by 
all  possible  means  consistent  with  our  honour  and 
policy.  First  impressions,  you  know,  are  generally 
longest  retained,  and  will  serve  to  fix,  in  a  great  de- 
gree, our  national  character  with  the  French.  In 
our  conduct  towards  them,  we  should  remember," 
that;  they  are  a  people  old  in  ^var,  very  strict  in  mill- 


204         LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.         [1778. 

tary  etiquette,  and  apt  to  take  fire  when  otliers  scarce- 
Iv  seem  warmed.  Permit  me  to  recommend,  in  the 
most  particular  manner,  the  cultivation  of  harmony 
and  good  agreement,  and  your  endeavours  to  de- 
stroy that  ill  humour  which  may  have  found  its  way 
among  the  officers.  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance 
too,  that  the  soldiers  and  the  people  should  know 
nothi>ng  of  this  misunderstanding,  or,  if  it  has 
reached  them,  that  means  may  be  used  to  stop 
its  progress  and  prevent  its  effects." 

In  a  correspondence  with  Count  d'Estaing, 
General  Washington  strove  to  soften  his  resent- 
ments, to  sooth  the  chagrin  of  disappointment,  and 
to  conciliate  his  good  affections  towards  the  United 
States. 

These  prudent  measures  were  attended  with  the 
most  salutary  effects. 

With  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  active  operations 
for  the  campaign  closed  in  the  Middle  States.  On 
the  approach  of  winter,  the  American  army  went  in- 
to quarters  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  High  Lands, 
Being  better  clothed  and  fed  than  in  the  preceding 
winter,  their  situation  was  greatly  ameliorated, 
and  their  sufferings  were  comparatively  nothing. 

At  the  close  of  the  campaign  of  1778,  the  local 
situation  of  the  hostile  armies  did  not  greatly  differ 
from  that  of  the  commencement  of  the  campaign  of 
1776,  except  the  possession  of  New  York  by  the 
British. 

This  fact  is  impressively  stated  by  General 
Washington,  in  a  letter  written  to  a  friend.  V*"  It 
j&  not  a  little  pleasing,  nor  less  wonderful  to  contem- 


1778.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  205 

platt?,  that  after  tw  o  years  manoeuvring,  and  under- 
going the  strangest  vicissitudes,  both  armies  are 
brought  back  to  the  very  point  they  set  out  from, 
and  the  offending  party  in  the  beginning  is  now  re- 
duced to  the  use  of  the  pickaxe  and  the  spade  for 
defence.  The  hand  of  providence  has  been  so  con- 
spicuous in  all  this,  that  he  must  be  worse  than  an 
infidel  that  lacks  faith,  and  more  than  wicked  that 
has  not  gratitude  to  acknowledge  his  obligations. 'y 


'06  £I?E    O?   WASHINGTON.  [1779* 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Plan  formed  bxj  Congress  and  the  French  Mmister  for  the  In- 
■vasion  of  Canada  and  J\"ova  Scotia. ...General  JVjshjng- 
rfON's  objections  to  it. ...Delinquency  of  the  United  States  to 
firefiare  for  the  afifiroaching  Campaign.... The  exertions  of 
the  General. ...His  Letter  on  the  State  of  the  J\''ation....The. 
Remonstrance  of  Officers  belonging  to  the  J^  eni)  Jersey  Brig-- 
ade  to  the  Legislature  of  that  State. ...Letters  of  the  Com- 
mander  in  Chief  on  the  Subject....  Ex  fie  dition  against  the  In- 
dians under  General  Sullivan. ...He  destroys  their  Towns.... 
The  American  Army  posted  for  the  Defence  of  the  High 
Lands  on  the  A'^&rth  Rivcr^  and  for  the  protection  of  the 
Country  against  the  Incursions  of  t/ie  British. ...Sir  Henry 
Clinton  moves  up  the  Hudson^  takes  Possession  of  Stony  and- 

Verplank  Points.^  and  Fortifies  them Arrangements   made 

for  Assaulting  these  Posts. ...General  Wayne  carries  Stony 
Point  by  Storm... .The  Attack  upon  Verplank  fails....Con-' 
gr ess  vote  their  Thanks  to  General  Washington  and  to  the 
brave  Troops  employed  in  this  service. ...They  vote  General 
Wayne  a  Medal. ...Evils  of  short  Inlistments....Plan  of  the 
General's  to  remedy  them. ...The  Army  in  two  Divisions 
erect  Huts  for  Winter  Quarters,  one  near  West  Point,  and 
the  other  at  Morristonvn  in  JVew  Jersey  ....The  Troops  suffer 
through  the  scarcity  of  Provisions. ...Colonel  Wadsivorth  re- 
signs his  Off ce... .Confusion  in  the  Com7nessary^s  Depart- 
vient....The  Commander  in  Chief  is  necessitated  to  apportion 
supplies  of  Meat  and  Flour  upon  the  Counties  ofA^'ew  Jer- 
sey....The  Winter  exces.-iively  Cold,  and  the  Waters  around 
J^few  York  frozen  over  ;  but  the  Com?nander  in  Chief  is  too 
weak  to  avail  himself  of  this  opportunity  to  Assail  the  Brit\ 
ish  Posts. ...Expedition  to  Staten  Island  fails. 

1779.  The  emancipation  of  Canada  had  ev- 
er been  an  important  object  with  Congress.  By  its 
incorporation  with  the  revolted  colonies,  the  boun- 


177^0  LlfE    OF    WASHINGTON.  SOf 

daries  of  the  United  States  would  be  greatly  en- 
larged, and  the  country  delivered  from  the  destruc- 
tion aiid  terrour  of  war  from  the  northern  tribes  of 
Indians. 

In  the  winter  of  1777 — 8,  an  expedition  for  this 
purpose  had  been  settled  with  the  Marquis  de  la 
Fayette,  and  in  its  prosecution  he  repaired  to  Ticon- 
deroga.  Wanting  then  the  means  to  accomplish  the 
design,  it  was  relinquished.  During  the  succeed- 
ing autumn  the  scheme  was  resumed  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  French  Minister.  The  plan  embraced 
the  conquest  of  Canada,  Nova  Scotia  and  all  their 
dependencies.  It  was  to  be  carried  into  effect  by 
the  joint  operations  of  distinct  detachments  of  Amer- 
icans, acting  in  different  points,  and  all  cooperating 
with  a  French  fleet  and  army  on  the  river  Saint 
Lawrence. 

This  lofty  scheme  of  military  operations  had 
been  adopted  in  Congress  without  consulting  viith 
the  Commniander  in  Chief,  or  any  American  offi- 
cer. It  wds  to  be  communicated  to  the  French 
Court  by  the  ?ilarquis  de  la  Fayette,  and  his  in- 
fluence, with  that  of  the  French  Minister,  w-as  to  be 
employed  to  induce  his  government  to  adopt  their 
part  of  the  expedition.  In  October  the  plan  was 
communicated  to  General  Washington,  he  was 
desired  to  give  Congress  his  opinion  upon  it,  and 
to  enclose  it  with  his  comments  to  the  Marquis. 

The  General  had  already  re^'olvcd  in  his  mind 
an  expedition  against  the  British  posts  in  Upper 
Canada,  with  the  intention  to  be  prosecuted  the 
next  season,  on  the  coniingence  that  the  Briiish  ar»» 


208  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1779. 

my  should  be  withdrawn  from  the  United  States. 
Struck  with  the  extravagance  of  the  plan  of  Con- 
gress, instead  of  complying  with  their  requisition, 
he  wrote  to  them,  stating  in  strong  terms  his  objec- 
tions to  the  scheme.  He  mentioned  the  impolicy 
of  entering  into  any  engagements  ^vith  the  Court 
of  France  to  execute  a  combined  system  of  opera- 
tion, without  a  moral  certainty  of  being  able  to  exe- 
cute the  part  assigned  to  America. 

It  was,  the  General  observed,  morally  certain 
in  his  mind,  that  if  the  English  should  maintain 
their  posts  on  the  continent,  it  would  be  impractica- 
ble to  furnish  the  men,  or  the  necessary  stores  and 
provisions  for  the  expedition.  "  If  I  rightly  under- 
stand the  plan,"  he  remarked,  "  it  requires  for  its 
execution,  twelve  thousand  and  six  hundred  rank 
and  file.  Besides  these,  to  open  passages  through 
a  wilderness,  for  the  march  of  the  several  bodies  of 
troops,  to  provide  the  means  of  long  and  difficult 
transportation  by  land  and  water,  to  establish  posts 
of  communication  for  the  security  of  our  convoys, 
to  build  and  man  vessels  of  force  necessary  for  ac- 
quiring a  superiority  on  the  lakes  ;  these  and  many 
other  purposes  peculiar  to  these  enterprises,  will  re- 
quire a  much  larger  proportion  of  artificers,  and  per- 
sons to  be  employed  in  manual  and  laborious  offices 
than  are  usual  in  military  operations."  The  aggre- 
gate number,  he  observed,  requisite  for  the  contem- 
plated expedition,  added  to  the  force  necessary  to  be 
kept  in  the  field  to  restrain  depredation  from  the  Brit- 
ish posts  at  New  York,  would  make  nearly  double 
the  men  necessary,  to  any  number,  which  with  all 


1779.2  i^IFE    O?     WASHINbTObl.  ^(^ 

their  efforts,  tlie  United  States  Xi'tvc  ever  yet  able  to 
raise. 

The  experience  of  the  General  taught  him,  that 
it  would  be  as  difficult  to  furnish  the  necessary  sup- 
plies of  provisions  as  to  raise  the  men.  **  The  scen^ 
of  our  operations  has  hitherto  been  in  the  heart  of 
the  country,  furnishing  our  resources,  which  of 
course  facilitated  the  drawing  them  out.  We  shall 
then  be  carrying  on  the  war  at  an  immense  distance, 
in  a  country  wild  and  uncultivated,  incapable  of  af- 
fording any  aid,  and  great  part  of  it  hostile.  We 
cannot,  in  this  case,  depend  on  temporary  and  occa- 
sional supplies  as  we  have  been  accustomed  ;  but 
must  have  ample  magazines  laid  up  before  hand. 
The  labour  and  expense  in  forming  these,  and  trans- 
Jjorting  the  necessary  stores  of  every  kind  for  the 
use  of  the  troops,  will  be  increased  to  a  degree  that 
can  be  more  easily  conceived  than  described.  Tht 
transportation  must  be  a  great  part  of  the  way 
thronc:h  deserts  affordinjr  no  other  foraf^e  than  herb- 
age  ;  and  from  this  circumstance  our  principal  pro- 
visions of  the  fiesh  kind,  must  be  salted,  ^vhich 
would  gready  increase  the  difficulty,  both  of  provid- 
ing and  transporting."  Supplies  upon  this  scale, 
he  conceived,  greatly  exceeded  the  resources  of  the 
country,  and  in  policy  and  honour.  Congress  could 
not  promise  to  furnish  tl>em. 

Serious  doubts  rested  upon  the  mind  of  the  Gen- 
eral, whether  France  would  execute  the  part  of  the 
Canada  expedition  assigned  to  her.  The  superiori- 
ty of  tlie  British  fleet  was  evident.      The  Court  of 

London  would  be  made  acquainted  with  the  scheme 
n  n 


210  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  [1779. 

and  a  superiour  British  fleet  might  prevent  the 
French  squadron  detached  on  this  service,  from  en- 
tering the  river  St.  Lawrence,  or  destroy  it  after  its 
entrance,  or  the  British  garrisons  in  Canada  might 
be  reinforced,  and  rendered  superiour  to  the  assail- 
ing armament. 

In  an  expedition  consisting  of  several  distinct 
parts,  General  Washington  thought  it  unreason- 
able to  expect  that  exact  cooperation  among  the 
different  detachments  which  would  be  necessary  for 
mutual  support  ;  of  consequence,  the  divisions 
might  be  defeated  in  detail,  and  after  all  the  expense, 
the  expedition  miscarry.  The  consequences  of  a 
failure,  which  were  much  to  be  deprecated,  would 
be  the  misapplication  of  the  French  force  ;  the  ruin 
of  the  detachments  employed  in  the  expedition,  and 
jealousy  and  disaffection  between  France  and  the 
United  States. 

The  letter'of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  Congress 
referred  to  a  Committee.  In  their  report,  this  Com- 
mittee admit  his  objections  to  be  weighty,  but  still 
advise  to  the  prosecution  of  the  plan.  Congress  ac- 
cepted the  report,  and  again  requested  the  General 
to  write  fully  on  the  subject  to  the  Marquis,  and  to 
Dr.  Franklin,  then  the  American  Minister  at  the 
Court  of  Versailles.  Congress  probably  felt  them- 
selves already  pledged  by  their  conversation  with 
the  Marquis  and  the  French  Minister,  and  possibly 
they  thought  that  measures  had  already  been  adopt- 
ed  in  France  to  carry  the  plan  into  execution. 

General  Washington  was  greatly  perplexed 
by  the  perseverance  of  Congress  in  this  measure. 


1779.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  211 

All  his  objections  to  the  plan  remained  in  full  force, 
and  he  found  himself  called  upon  to  use  his  influ- 
ence to  bring  the  French  government  to  adopt  a 
scheme,  of  which  he  himself  wholly  disapproved, 
and  to  promise  the  cooperation  of  the  American 
arms  in  a  manner  that  he  thought  impracticable.  To 
this  request  he  thus  replied  : 

*'  I  have  attentively  taken  up  the  report  of  the 
Committee  of  the  fifth,  (approved  by  Congress)  on 
the  subject  of  my  letter  of  the  11th  ultimo,  on  the 
proposed  expedition  into  Canada.  I  have  consider- 
ed it  in  several  lights,  and  sincerely  regret  that  I 
should  feel  myself  under  any  embarrassment  in  car- 
rying it  into  execution.  Still  I  remain  of  opinion, 
from  a  general  review  of  things,  and  the  state  of  our 
resources,  that  no  extensive  system  of  cooperation 
with  the  French  for  the  complete  emancipation  of 
Canada,  can  be  positively  decided  on  for  the  ensuing 
year.  To  propose  a  plan  of  perfect  cooperation  with 
a  foreign  power,  without  a  moral  certainty  in  our 
supplies  ;  and  to  have  that  plan  actually  ratified 
with  the  Court  of  Versailles,  might  be  attended,  in 
case  of  failure  in  the  conditions,  on  our  part,  with 
very  fatal  effects. 

*'  If  I  should  seem  unwilling  to  transmit  the  plan 
as  prepared  by  Congress,  with  my  observations,  it 
is  because  I  find  myself  under  a  necessity  (in  order 
to  give  our  minister  sufficient  ground  to  found  an  ap- 
plication on)  to  propose  something  mere  than  a 
vague  and  indecisive  plan  ;  which,  even  in  the 
'  event  of  a  total  evacuation  of  the  states  by  the  enemy, 
jnay  he  rendered  impracticable   in  the  execution 


212  UPE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1770. 

by  a  variety  of  insurmountable  obstacles  ;  or  if  I  re- 
tain my  present  sentiments,  and  act  consistently, 
I  must  point  out  the  difficulties,  as  they  appear  to  me, 
which  must  embarrass  his  negotiations,  and  may 
disappoint  the  views  of  Congress. 

"  But  proceeding  on  the  idea  of  the  enemy's 
leaving  these  states,  before  the  active  part  of  die 
ensuing  campaign,  I  should  feiu'  to  hazard  a  mistake, 
as  to  the  precise  aim  and  extent  of  the  views  of 
Congress.  1  he  conduct  I  am  to  observe  in  writ^ 
ing  to  our  Minister  at  the  Court  of  France,  does 
not  appear  sufficiently  aeiiiicated.  Were  I  tp 
undertake  it,  I  should  be  much  afraid  of  erring 
through  misconception.  In  tliis  dilemma,  I  would 
esteem  it  a  particular  favour  to  be  excused  from 
writing  at  all  on  the  subject,  especiAlly  as  it  is  the 
part  of  candour  in  me  to  acknowledge,  th;it  I  do 
not  see  my  vray  clear  enough  to  point  out  such  a  plan 
for  cooperation,  as  I  conceive  to  be  consistent  with 
the  ideas  of  Congress,  and  as  will  be  sufficiently  ex- 
planatory, with  respect  to  time  and  circumstances, 
to  give  efficacy  to  the  measure. 

"  But  if  Congress  still  think  it  necessary  for  me 
to  proceed  In  the  business,  I  must  request  their 
more  definite  and  explicit  instructions,  and  that 
they  will  permit  me,  previous  to  transmitting  the 
intended  dispatches,  to  submit  tiiem  to  their  deter- 
mination. 

"  I  could  wish  to  lay  before  Congress  more  mi- 
nutely, the  state  of  the  army,  the  condition  of  sup- 
plies, and  the  requisites  necessary  for  carrying  into 
execution  an  undertaking  that  may  involve  the  most 
serious  events.      If  Conjjrcss  think  this  can  be  done 


1779.]  hlfE    ©F    WASHINGTON.  2lX: 

more  satisfactorily  in  a  personal  conference,  I  hope 
to  have  the  army  in  such  a  situation  before  I  can  re- 
ceive their  answer,  as  to  afford  me  an  opportunity  of 
giving  my  attendance." 

Congress  indulged  the  General  with  the  propos* 
cd  interview,  and  a  Committee  of  their  body  was 
chosen  to  confer  with  him  on  this  business  and  on 
the  state  of  the  army.  His  objections  were  found 
to  be  unanswerable,  and  the  Canada  expedition  was 
laid  aside. 

To  the  magnificent  schemes  of  Congress  upon 
Canada,  succeeded  through  United  America  a  state 
of  supineness  and  inaction.  An  alliance  with  France 
was  received  as  a  security  for  independence.  In 
the  expectation  that  Great  Britain  would  relinquish 
the  American  war,  that  she  might  with  her  united 
force  contend  with  her  ancient  enemy  in  Europe, 
Congress  appeared  not  disposed  to  encounter  ^he 
expense  necessary  to  prepare  for  another  active  cam<. 
paign.  The  delusive  supposition  that  the  war  was 
over  prevailed  through  the  country,  and  palsied  the 
spirit  of  the  community.  General  Washington 
perpetually  stimulated  his  countrymen  to  exertion. 
Uninfected  with  the  common  delusion,  he  believed 
that  Great  Britain  would  continue  the  American 
war,  and  in  every  possible  way  exerted  himself  sea- 
sonably to  be  prepared  for  the  conflicts  of  the  field. 
But  Congress  was  slowly  roused  to  attention  to  this 
important  business.  Their  resolution  empowering 
the  Commander  in  Chief  to  recruit  the  army  did 
not  pass  until  the  23d  of  January  1779,  and  the  re- 
quisition upon  the  several  iitates  was  not  made  until 
the  9th  of  March, 


214  LIFE    or    WASHrNGTON.  [1779. 

The  dissensions  which  at  this  time  existed  in 
Congress,  the  speculations  that  prevailed  through  the 
country  in  consequence  of  the  depreciation  of  paper 
money,  and  the  apparent  reUictance  among  all  class- 
es of  citizens  to  make  sacrifices  for  the  publick  in- 
terest, greatly  alarmed  General  Washington. 
His  apprehensions  are  fully  disclosed  in  the  annexed 
letter  written  at  the  time  to  a  confidential  friend  of 
distinguished  reputation  in  the  political  world. 

"  I  am  particularly  desirous  of  a  free  communi- 
cation of  sentiments  with  you  at  this  time,  because 
I  view  things  very  differendy,  I  fear,  from  what  peo- 
ple m  general  do,  who  seem  to  think  the  contest  at 
an  end,  and  that  to  make  money,  and  get  places  are 
the  only  things  now  remaining  to  be  done.  I  have 
seen  without  despondency,  even  for  a  moment,  the 
hours  which  America  has  stiled  her  gloomy  ones  ; 
but  I  have  beheld  no  day  since  the  commencement 
of  hostilities,  when  I  have  thought  her  liberties  in 
such  imminent  danger  as  at  present.  Friends  and 
foes  seem  now  to  combine  to  pull  down  the  goodly 
fabrick  we  have  hitherto  been  raising,  at  the  expense 
of  so  much  time,  blood  and  treasure  ;  and  unless 
the  bodies  politick  will  exert  themselves  to  bring 
things  back  to  first  principles,  correct  abuses,  and 
punish  our  internal  foes,  inevitable  ruin  must  follow. 
Indeed  we  seem  to  be  verging  so  fast  to  destruction 
that  I  am  filled  with  sensations  to  which  I  have  been 
a  stranger  until  within  these  three  months.  Our  en- 
emy behold  widi  exultation  and  joy  how  effectually 
Me  labour  for  their  benefit ;  and  from  being  in  a 
state  of  absolute  despair  and  on  the  point  of  evacuate 


i779»]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  215 

ing  America,  are  now  on  tiptoe.  Nothing-,  there- 
fore, in  mj  judgment,  can  save  us  but  a  total  reform- 
ation in  our  own  conduct,  or  some  decisive  turn  of 
affairs  in  Europe.  The  former,  alas  !  to  our  shame 
be  it  spoken,  is  less  likely  to  happen  than  tlie  latter, 
as  it  is  now  consistent  with  the  views  of  the  specula- 
tors, various  tribes  of  money  makers,  and  stockjob- 
bers of  all  denominations,  to  continue  the  war,  for 
their  own  private  emolument,  without  considering 
that  this  avarice  and  thirst  for  gain  must  plunge  ev- 
ery thjng,  including  themselves  in  one  common 
ruin. 

'  •  Were  I  to  indulge  my  present  feelings,  and 
give  a  loose  to  that  freedom  of  expression  which  my 
uni;escrved  friendship  would  prompt  to,  I  should  say 
a  great  deal  on  this  subject.  But  letters  are  liable  to 
so  many  accidents,  and  the  sentiments  of  men  in  of- 
fice are  sought  after  by  the  enemy  with  so  much 
avidity,  and  besides  conveying  useful  knowledge  (if 
they  get  into  their  hands)  for  the  superstructure  of 
their  plans,  are  so  often  perverted  to  the  worst  of 
purposes,  that  I  shall  be  somewhat  reserved,  not- 
withstanding this  letter  goes  by  a  private  hand  to 
Mount  Vernon.  I  cannot  refrain  lamenting,  how- 
ever, in  the  most  poignant  terms,  the  fatal  policy 
too  prevalent  in  most  of  the  states,  of  employ inf^- 
their  ablest  men  at  home,  in  posts  of  honour  or  pro- 
fit, before  the  great  national  interest  is  fixed  upon  a 
solid  basis. 

"  To  me  it  appears  no  unjust  simile,  to  com- 
pare  the  affairs  of  this  great  continent  to  the  mechan- 
ibm  of  a  clockj^  each  state  representing^  some  one 


216  LIFE    OP    WASHINGTON.  [1779* 

or  other  of  the  small  parts  of  it,  which  tliey  arc  en- 
deavouring to  put  in  fine  order,  without  consider- 
ing how  useless  and  unavailing  their  labour  is,  un- 
less the  great  wheel,  or  spring,  which  is  to  set  the 
whole  in  motion,  is  also  well  attended  to  and  kept 
in  good  order.  I  allude  to  no  particular  state,  nor 
do  I  mean  to  cast  reflections  upon  any  one  of  them, 
nor  ought  I,  as  it  may  be  said,  to  do  so  upon  their 
representatives  ;  but  as  it  is  a  fact  too  notorious  to 
be  concealed,  that  Congress  is  rent  by  party  ;  that 
much  business  of  a  trifling  nature  and  personal  con- 
cernment, withdraws  their  attention  from  matters  of 
great  national  moment,  at  this  critical  period  ;  when 
it  is  also  known  that  idleness  and  dissipation  tak^ 
place  of  close  attention  and  application  ;  no  rwan 
who  wishes  well  to  the  liberties  of  his  country,  and 
desires  to  see  its  rights  established,  can  avoid  crying 

out ; Where  are  our  men  of  abilities  ?  Why  do 

they  not  come  forth  to  save  their  country  ?  Let  this 
voice,  My  dear  sir,  call  upon  you,  Jefferson  and  oth- 
ers. Do  not,  from  a  mistaken  opinion  that  we  are 
to  sit  down  under  our  vine  and  our  own  fig  tree, 
let  our  hitherto  noble  struggle  end  in  ignominy. 
Believe  me  when  I  tell  you  there  is  danger  of  it. 
I  have  pretty  good  reasons  for  thinking  that  admin- 
istration, a  little  while  ago,  had  resolved  to  give  the 
matter  up,  and  negotiate  a  peace  with  us  upon  al- 
most any  terms ;  but  I  shall  be  much  mistaken  if 
they  do  not  now,  from  the  present  state  of  our  cur- 
rency, dissentlons  and  other  circumstances,  push 
matters  to  the  utmost  extremity.  Nothing,  I  am 
sure  will  prevent  it  but  the  interruption  of  Spain, 
and  their  disappointed  hope  from  Prussia. '^ 


1779.1  Ll^£    OF    WASHINGTON.  2lt 

The  depreciation  of  the  paper  currency  had  re- 
duced the  pay  of  the  American  officers  to  a  pittance, 
and  the  effects  were  severely  felt.  At  the  moment 
the  campaign  was  to  open,  the  dissatisfaction  of  a 
part  of  the  sufferers  broke  out  into  acts  of  violence, 
which  threatened  the  safety  of  the  whole  army.  Ear- 
ly in  May,  the  Jersey  Brigade  was  ordered  to  march 
as  part  of  a  force  destined  on  an  expedition  into  the 
Indian  country.  On  the  reception  of  this  order,  the 
officers  of  the  first  regiment  presented  to  their  Col- 
onel a  remonstrance,  addressed  to  the  Legislature 
of  the  State,  in  which  they  professed  the  determina- 
tion, unless  that  body  immediately  attended  to  their 
pay  and  support,  within  three  days  to  resign  their 
commissions. 

This  resolution  greatly  disturbed  the  Command- 
er in  Chief.  He  foresaw  its  evil  consequences,  and  on 
this  important  occasion  determined  to  exert  his  per- 
sonal influence.  In  a  letter  to  General  Max  v>  ell,  to 
be  communicated  to  the  dissatisfied  officers,  he  dis- 
suaded them  by  a  sense  of  honour,  and  by  the  love 
of  country  from  the  prosecution  of  the  rash  measure 
they  had  adopted. 

"  There  is  nothing,"  proceeds  the  letter,  "  which 
has  happened  in  course  of  the  war,  that  has  given  me 
so  much  pain  as  the  remonstrance  you  mention  from 
the  officers  of  the  first  Jersey  regiment.  I  cannot  but 
consider  it  as  a  hasty  and  imprudent  step,  which  on 
more  cool  consideration  they  will  themselves  con- 
demn. I  am  very  sensible  of  the  inconveniences 
under  which  tlie  officers  of  the  army  labour,  and  I 
hope  they  do  me  the  justice  to  believe,  that  my  ^n^ 


E  a 


218  LI?E    OF    WASHINGTON,  [1779. 

deavours  to  procure  them  relief  are  incessant. 
There  is  more  difficulty,  however,  in  satisfying  their 
wishes  than  perhaps  they  are  aware  of.  Our  resour- 
ces have  been  hitherto  very  limited.  The  situation 
of  our  money  is  no  small  embarrassment ;  for  which, 
though  there  are  remedies,  they  cannot  be  the  work 
of  a  moment.  Government  is  not  insensible  of  the 
merits  and  sacrifices  of  the  officers,  nor,  I  am  per- 
suaded, unwilling  to  make  a  compensation  ;  but  it 
is  a  truth,  of  which  a  little  observation  must  con- 
vince us,  that  it  is  very  much  straitened  in  the  means. 
Great  allowances  ought  to  be  made  on  this  account, 
for  any  delay,  and  seeming  backwardness  which 
may  appear.  Some  of  the  States  indeed  have  done 
as  generously  as  it  is  at  this  juncture  in  their  power, 
and  if  others  have  been  less  expeditious,  it  ought  to 
be  ascribed  to  sgme  peculiar  cause,  which  a  little 
time,  aided  by  example,  w^ill  remove.  The  patience 
and  perseverance  of  the  army  have  been,  under  ev- 
ery disadvantage,  such  as  to  do  them  the  highest 
honour,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  and  have  inspired 
me  w'ith  an  unlimited  confidence  in  their  virtue, 
which  has  consoled  me  amidst  every  perplexity  and 
reverse  of  fortune,  to  which  our  affiiirs  in  a  struggle 
of  this  nature,  were  necessarily  exposed.  Now  that 
we  have  made  so  great  a  progress  to  the  attainment 
of  the  end  we  have  in  view,  so  that  we  cannot  fail 
without  a  most  shameful  desertion  of  our  own  inter- 
ests, any  thing  like  a  change  of  conduct  would  im- 
ply a  very  unhappy  change  of  principles,  and  a  for- 
getfulness  as  well  of  what  we  owe  to  ourselves  as  to 
our  country.      Did  I  suppose  it  possible  this  could 


1779.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  219 

be  the  case,  even  in  a  single  regiment  of  tiie  armj^, 
I  should  be  mortified  and  chagrined  beyond  expres- 
sion. I  should  feel  it  as  a  wound  given  to  my  own 
honour,  which  1  consider  as  embarked  with  that  of 
the  army  at  large.  But  this  I  believe  to  be  impos- 
sible. Any  corps  that  was  about  to  set  an  example 
of  the  kind,  would  weigh  well  the  consequences  ; 
and  no  officer  of  common  discernment  and  sensibil- 
ity would  hazard  them.  If  they  should  stand  alone 
in  it,  independent  of  other  consequences,  what 
would  be  their  feelings  on  reflecting  that  they  had 
held  themselves  out  to  the  world  in  a  point  of  light 
inferiour  to  the  rest  of  the  army.  Or  if  their  exam- 
ple should  be  followed,  and  become  general,  how 
could  they  console  themselves  for  having  been  the 
foremost  in  bringing  ruin  and  disgrace  upon  their 
country.  They  would  remember  that  the  army 
would  share  a  double  portion  of  the  general  infamy 
and  distress,  and  that  the  character  of  an  American 
officer  would  become  as  despicable,  as  it  is  now  glo- 
rious. 

"  I  confess  the  appearances  in  the  present  in- 
stance are  disagreeable  ;  but  I  am  convinced  they 
seem  to  mean  more  than  they  really  do.^  The  Jer- 
sey officers  have  not  been  outdone  by  any  others  in 
the  qualities,  either  of  citizens  or  soldiers  ;  and  I 
am  confident,  no  part  of  them  would  seriously  in- 
tend any  thing  that  would  be  a  stain  on  their  form- 
er  reputation.  The  gentlemen  cannot  be  in  earnest ; 
they  have  only  reasoned  wrong  about  the  means  of 
obtaining  a  good  end,  and  on  consideration,  I  hope 
and  flatter  myself  they  will  renounce  what  must  ap- 


220  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1779. 

pear  improper.  At  the  opening  of  a  campaign, 
when  under  marching  orders,  for  an  important  ser- 
vice, their  own  honour,  duty  to  the  pubUck,  and  to 
themselves,  and  a  regard  to  miUtary  propriety,  will 
not  suiferthem  to  persist  in  a  measure,  which  would 
be  a  violation  of  them  all.  It  will  even  wound  their 
delicacy,  coolly  to  reflect,  that  they  have  hazarded 
a  step  which  has  an  air  of  dictating  terms  to  their 
country,  by  taking  advantage  of  the  necessity  of  the 
moment. 

"  The  declaration  they  have  made  to  the  state,  at 
so  critical  a  time,  that  unless  they  obtain  relief  in 
the  short  period  of  three  days,  they  must  be  consid- 
ered out  of  the  service,  has  very  much  that  aspect  ; 
and  the  seeming  relaxation  of  continuing  until  the 
state  can  have  a  reasonable  time  to  provide  other  of- 
ficers, will  be  thought  only  a  superficial  veil.  I  am 
now  to  request  that  you  will  convey  my  sentiments 
to  the  gentlemen  concerned,  and  endeavour  to  make 
them  sensible  that  they  are  in  an  errour.  The  ser- 
vice for  which  the  regiment  was  intended,  will  not 
admit  of  delay.  It  must  at  all  events  march  on 
Monday  morning,  in  the  first  place  to  this  camp,  and 
further  directions  viill  be  given  when  it  arrives.  I 
am  sure  I  shall  not  be  mistaken  in  expecting  a 
prompt  and  cheerful  obedience." 

This  letter  made  a  deep  impression  upon  the 
minds  of  the  officers,  but  did  not  fully  produce  the 
desired  effect.  In  an  address  to  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  they  expressed  their  unhappiness,  that  any  act 
of  theirs  should  occasion  him  pain ;  but  in  justifica- 
tion of  the  measure  they  had  adopted,  they  pleaded 


1779.]  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  221 

that  their  state  government  had  paid  no  attention  t® 
their  repeated  petitions,  that  they  were  themselves 
loaded  with  debts,  and  that  their  famiHes  were  starv- 
ing. "  At  length,"  said  they,  "  we  have  lost  all 
confidence  in  our  Legislature.  Reason  and  ex-peri- 
ence  forbid  that  we  should  have  any.  Fev/  of  us 
have  private  fortunes  ;  many  have  families  who  are 
already  suffering  every  thing  that  can  be  received 
from  an  ungrateful  country.  Are  we  then  to  suffer 
all  the  inconveniences,  fatigues  and  dangers  of  a 
military  life,  while  our  wives  and  our  children  are 
perishing  for  want  of  common  necessaries  at  home  ; 
and  that  without  the  most  distant  prospect  of  reward, 
for  our  pay  is  only  nominal  ?  We  are  sensible  that 
your  Excellency  cannot  wish  nor  desire  this  from 
us. 

''  We  are  sorry  that  you  should  imagine  we 
meant  to  disobey  orders.  It  was  and  still  is  our 
determination  to  march  with  our  regiment,  and  to 
do  the  duty  of  officers,  until  the  Legislature  shall 
have  a  reasonable  time  to  appoint  others,  but  no 
longer. 

"  We  beg  leave  to  assure  your  Excellency  that 
we  have  the  highest  sense  of  your  ability  and  virtue, 
that  executing  your  orders  has  ever  given  us  pleas- 
ure ;  we  love  the  service,  and  we  love  our  country  ; 
but  when  that  country  gets  so  lost  to  virtue  and  jus- 
tice as  to  forget  to  support  its  servants,  it  then  be- 
comes their  duty  to  retire  from  its  service." 

This  attempt  in  the  officers  to  justify  their  con- 
duct placed  General  Washington  in  a  very  criti- 
cal and  delicate  situation.     Severe  measures,  he  up- 


222  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1779. 

prehended,  would  probably  drive  the  whole  Jersey 
brigade  from  the  service  ;  and  to  assume  the  exer- 
cise of  the  powers  of  Commander  in  Chief,  and  then 
recede  without  producing  the  effect,  must  hazard 
his  own  authority,  and  injure  the  discipline  of  the 
army.  Under  these  embarrassing  circumstances, 
he  prudently  resolved  to  take  no  further  notice  of 
this  address,  than  to  notify  the  officers,  through 
General  Maxwell,  that  while  they  continued  to  do 
their  duty,  he  should  only  regret  the  step  they  had 
taken,  and  hope  that  they  themselves  would  per- 
ceive its  impropriety. 

This  alarming  transaction,  the  General  commu- 
nicated to  Congress,  and  at  the  same  time  remind- 
ed them  of  his  repeated  and  urgent  intreaties  in  be- 
half of  his  officers.  Some  general  provision  for 
them  he  now  recommended  as  a  measure  of  abso- 
lute necessity.  "  The  distresses  in  some  corps,'* 
he  observed,  "  are  so  great,  either  where  they  were 
not  until  lately  attached  to  any  particular  state,  or 
where  the  state  has  been  less  provident,  that  officers 
have  solicited  even  to  be  supplied  w  ith  the  clothing 
destined  for  the  common  soldiers,  coarse  and  un- 
suitable as  it  was.  I  had  not  power  to  comply  with 
the  request. 

"The  patience  of  men  animated  by  a  sense  of 
duty  and  honour,  will  support  them  to  a  certain 
point,  beyond  which  it  will  not  go.  I  doubt  not 
Congress  will  be  sensible  of  the  danger  of  an  extreme 
in  this  respect,  and  will  pardon  my  anxiety  to  obvi- 


ite  It. 


)j 


1779.3  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  223 

Tlie  regiment  marched  agreeably  to  orders,  and 
the  officers  withdrew  their  remonstrance.  The  Le- 
gislature took  measures  for  their  relief,  and  they 
continued  in  the  service. 

The  situation  of  the  hostile  armies  not  favouring 
active  operations,  General  Washington  planned 
an  expedition  into  the  Indian  country.  His  expe- 
rience while  he  commanded  the  troops  of  Virginia 
in  the  French  war,  convinced  him,  that  the  only  ef- 
fectual method  to  defend  the  frontiers  from  the  des- 
tructive invasion  of  Indian  foes,  is  to  carry  the  war 
into  their  own  country.  To  retaliate  in  some  meas- 
ure, the  cruelties  the  Indians  had  inflicted  on  the 
Americans,  and  to  deter  them  from  their  repetition, 
General  Sullivan,  the  commanding  officer,  was  or- 
dered, on  this  occasion,  to  exercise  a  degree  of  se- 
verity, which  in  the  usual  operations  of  war,  was 
abhorrent  to  the  humane  disposition  of  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief.  In  the  course  of  the  summer 
months.  General  Sullivan  successfully  prosecuted 
the  plan,  and  destroyed  the  Indian  towns  upon  the 
northern  boundary  of  the  state  of  New  York. 

The  disposable  force  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton  this 
year  consisted  of  between  sixteen  and  seventeen 
thousand  men.  The  troops  under  the  immediate 
command  of  General  Washington  amounted  to 
about  sixteen  thousand.  A  view  of  the  numbers 
of  the  two  hostile  armies  is  sufficient  to  shew,  that 
ofiensive  operations  against  the  strong  posts  of  the 
British,  were  not  in  die  power  of  General  Washing- 
ton. The  marine  force,  by  which  these  posts  were 
supported,    flicilitated  the  dosigns  of  the    British 


224  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON-.  [1779. 

commander  ia  predatory  expeditions  upon  the  A- 
merican  shores  and  rivers  ;  but  in  the  middle  states, 
the  campaign  passed  away  without  any  military  oper- 
ations upon  a  large  scale.  The  American  Gener- 
al posted  his  troops  in  a  situation  the  most  favoura- 
ble to  protect  the  country  from  the  excursions  of 
the  enemy,  and  to  guard  the  high  lands  on  the  north 
river.  These  highlands  were  the  object  of  the  prin- 
cipal manoeuvres  of  the  opposing  Generals,  and  the 
scene  of  some  brilliant  military  atchievments. 

West  Point  was  now  the  chief  post  of  the  Amer- 
icans on  the  Hudson.  Here  was  their  principal  mag- 
azine of  provisions  and  military  stores.  It  was  sit- 
uated upon  the  western  side  of  the  river,  in  the  bo- 
som of  the  mountain,  was  difficult  of  approach,  and 
its  natural  strength  had  been  increased  by  fortifica- 
tions,  although  they  were  not  completed.  Lower 
down  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  is  King's  ferry, 
over  which  passes  the  great  road  from  the  eastern  to 
the  middle  states.  This  ferry  is  commanded  by  the 
points  of  land  on  the  two  shores.  The  point  on  the 
west  side  is  high,  rough  ground,  and  is  called  Stony 
Point.  That  on  the  east  side  is  a  low  neck  of  land 
projecting  into  the  river  and  denominated  Verplank's 
Point.  On  each  shore  General  Washington  had 
erected  fortifications,  and  a  small  garrison  under  the 
command  of  a  Captain  was  placed  in  Verplank. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  on  the  last  of  May,  moved 
with  the  greater  part  of  his  force  up  the  river  towards 
these  posts.  On  his  approach  Stony  Point  was  evac- 
uated ;  but  the  celerity  of  his  movements  obliged 
the  garrison  at  Verplank  to  surrender  themselves  pris- 


1779.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  225 

oners  of  war.  The  possession  of  King's  ferry  could 
not  have  been  the  sole  object  of  Sir  Henry's  move- 
ment, his  force  was  much  greater  than  this  purpose 
required.  The  possession  of  West  Point  was  prob- 
ably the  ultimate  design  of  the  expedition  ;  but  the 
excellent  disposition  of  the  American  troops,  defeat- 
ed this  intention  of  the  British  Commander.  Hav- 
ing fortified  the  positions  of  Stony  Point  and  Ver- 
plank,  and  placed  garrisons  in  them,  Sir  Henry  re- 
turned with  his  army  to  New  York. 

The  Americans  were  subjected  to  great  inconve- 
nience by  the  loss  of  King's  ferry.  To  pass  the 
North  river,  they  were  necessitated  to  take  a  route 
by  the  way  of  Fish  Kill,  through  a  rough  and  moun- 
tainous country,  and  the  transportation  of  heavy 
articles  for  the  army  by  this  circuitous  road  became 
very  tedious. 

General  Washington  was  induced  by  a  varie- 
ty of  motives  to  attempt  the  recovery  of  Stony  and 
Verplank  points.  The  very  attempt  would  recall 
the  British  detachments  that  were  out  on  predatory 
expeditions.  Success  in  the  plan  would  give  repu- 
tation to  the  American  arms,  reconcile  the  publick 
mind  to  the  plan  of  the  campaign,  and  restore  to  the 
Americans  the  convenient  road  across  King's  fer- 
ry. In  pursuance  of  this  intention,  he  reconnoitred 
the  posts,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  gained  information 
of  the  situation  of  the  works,  and  of  the  strength  of 
the  garrisons.  The  result  was  a  plan  to  carry  the 
posts  by  storm.  The  assault  upon  Stony  point  was 
committed  to  General  Wayne,  and  that  no  alarm 
flight  be  given,  his  force  was  to  consist  only  of  the 


226  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

light  infantry  of  the  army,  which  corps  was  already 
on  the  lines.  The  night  of  the  15th  of  July  was 
assigned  for  the  attack.  The  works  were  strong, 
and  could  be  approached  only  by  a  narrow  passage 
over  a  piece  of  marshy  ground,  and  the  garrison 
Consisted  of  six  hundred  men.  About  midnight  the 
troops  moved  up  to  the  works  through  a  heavy  fire 
of  artillery  and  musketry,  and  without  the  discharge 
of  a  single  gun,  carried  them  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.  The  Americans,  on  this  occasion,  dis- 
played their  uswal  humanity  ;  they  put  not  an  indi- 
vidual to  the  sword  after  resistance  ceased. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  the  assault  was  in- 
considerable, compared  with  the  nature  of  the  ser- 
vice. Their  killed  and  wounded  did  not  exceed  one 
hundred  men.  General  Wavne  received  a  wound 
on  the  head,  which,  for  a  short  time  stunned  him  ; 
but  he  insisted  upon  entering  the  fort,  which  by  the 
support  of  his  aids  he  accomplished.  Sixty  three  of 
the  garrison  were  killed  and  sixty  eight  wounded, 
and  five  hundred  and  forty  three  made  prisoners. 
Military  stores  to  some  amount  were  found  in  the  fort. 

General  Ho\a  e  was  intrusted  with  the  execution 
of  the  design  against  Verplank  ;  but  through  a  num- 
ber of  unfortunate  incidents,  to  which  military  oper- 
ations are  always  liable,  it  miscarried. 

Stony  Point  alone  did  not  give  the  Americans 
the  use  of  King's  ferry.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  imme- 
diately moved  up  the  North  river  w  ith  a  large  force 
to  recover  the  post,  and  General  Washington, 
not  thinking  it  expedient  to  take  from  his  army  the 
number  of  troops  necessary  to  garrison  it,  dest'oycd 


1779.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  227 

the  works  and  retired  to  the  high  lands.  General 
Clinton  erected  the  fort  anew  with  superiour  fortifi- 
cations, and  placed  a  respectable  garrison  in  it,  un- 
der the  command  of  a  Brigadier  General. 

Congress  embraced  this  occasion,  by  an  unani- 
mous resolve,  to  thank  General  Washington  for 
the  wisdom,  vigilance  and  magnanimity  with  which 
he  conducted  the  military  operations  of  the  nation, 
and  particularly  for  the  enterprise  upon  Stony  point. 
They  also  unanimously  voted  their  thanks  to  Gen- 
eral Wayne  for  his  brave  and  soldierlike  attack,  and 
presented  him  with  a  gold  medal  emblematical  of  the 
action ;  and  tliey  highly  commended  the  coolness, 
discipline  and  persevering  bravery  of  the  officers  and 
men  in  the  spirited  assault. 

During  this  summer,  Spain  joined  France  in  the 
war  against  England.  General  Washington  ex- 
pecting substantial  aid  from  these  powers,  and  un- 
willing to  waste  any  part  of  his  small  force  in  partial 
actions,  contented  himself  with  the  defence  of  the 
country  from  the  depredations  of  the  enemy,  that  he 
might  be  in  readiness  with  the  greatest  possible 
numbers,  to  cooperate  with  the  allies  of  America  in 
an  attack  upon  the  British  posts.  But  the  fond  hope 
of  effective  aid  from  France  proved  delusive  ;  and 
the  expectation  that  the  war  would  this  season  ter- 
minate, as  a  dream  passed  away. 

Effectual  measures  were  not  yet  adopted  by 
Congress  to  establish  a  permanent  army.  The  of- 
ficers generally  remained  in  service,  but  a  great  pro- 
portion of  the  privates  were  annually  to  be  recruited. 
3y  the  delays  of  the  general  and  state  governments, 


228  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  [1779. 

the  recruits  were  never  seasonably  brought  into  the 
field.  At  different  periods  they  joined  the  army ; 
and  frequently  men  totally  unacquainted  with  every 
branch  of  military  service,  >yere  introduced  in  the 
most  critical  part  of  an  active  campaign. 

At  the  close  of  this  year,  General  Washington, 
not  discouraged  by  all  his  former  unavailing  endeav- 
ours, once  more  addressed  Congress  on  this  subject, 
which  he  deemed  essential  to  the  welfare  of  the  u- 
nion.  In  October  he  forwarded  to  that  body  a  mi- 
nute report  of  the  state  of  the  army,  by  which  it  ap» 
peared,  that  between  that  time  and  the  last  of  June 
the  next  year,  the  time  of  service  of  one  half  the  pri- 
vates would  expire. 

With  the  report  he  submitted  a  plan,  by  which 
the  recruits  of  all  the  states  were  to  be  raised  and 
brought  to  head  quarters  by  the  middle  of  January  of 
each  year,  that  time  might  be  given  in  some  meas- 
ure to  discipline  them  before  the  campaign  opened. 
*'  The  plan  I  would  propose,"  says  the  General 
in  the  address,  *'is  that  each  state  be  informed  by 
Congress  annually  of  the  real  deficiency  of  its  troops, 
•and  called  upon  to  make  it  up,  or  such  less  specifick 
number  as  Congress  may  think  proper,  by  a  draught. 
That  the  men  draughted  join  the  army  by  the  first 
of  January  the  succeeding  year.  That  from  the  time 
the  draughts  join  the  army,  the  officers  of  the  states 
from  which  they  come,  be  authorised  and  directed 
to  use  their  endeavours  to  inlist  them  for  the  war, 
under  the  bounties  granted  to  the  officers  themselves 
and  the  recruits,  by  the  act  of  the  23d  of  January  last, 
viz.  ten  dollars  to  the  officer  for  each  recruit,  and 


1779.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  229 

two  hundred  to  the  recruits  themselves.     That  all 
state,  county  and  town  bounties  to  draughts,  if  prac- 
ticable, be  intirely  abolished,  on  account  of  the  un- 
easiness and  disorders  they  create  among  the  soldiery, 
the  desertions  they  produce,  and  for  other  reasons 
which  will  readily  occur.  That  on  or  before  the  first 
of  October  annually,  an  abstract  or  return  similar  to 
the  present  one  be  transmitted  to  Congress,  to  enable 
them  to  make  their  requisitions  to  each  state  with 
certainty  and  precision.     This  I  would  propose  as  a 
general  plan  to  be  pursued  ;  and  I  am  persuaded  that 
this  or  one  nearly  similar  to  it,  will  be  found  the  best 
now  in  our  power,  as  it  will  be  attended  with  least 
expense  to  the  publick,  will  place  the  service  on  the 
footing  of  order  and  certainty,  and  will  be  the  only 
one  that  can  advance  the  general  interest  to  any  great 
extent." 

This  judicious  plan  was  never  carried  into  effeet. 
Congress  did  not  make  the  requisition  until  February, 
and  the  states  were  not  called  upon  to  bring  their  re- 
cruits into  the  field  before  the  first  of  April.  Thir- 
teen foreign  states  exercising  their  respective  inde- 
pendent authorities  to  form  a  federal  army,  were  al- 
ways tardy  in  time  and  deficient  in  the  number  of 
men. 

On  the  approach  of  the  inclement  season,  the  ar- 
my again  built  themselves  huts  for  winter  quarters. 
Positions  were  chosen  the  most  favourable  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  American  posts,  and  for  covering  the 
country.  The  army  was  formed  into  two  divisions. 
One  of  these  erected  huts  near  West  Point,  and  the 
other  at   Morristown   in  New  Jersey.      The  head 


250         LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.         [1780. 

quarters  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  were  with  the 
last  division. 

Great  distress  was  felt  this  winter  on  account  of 
the  deranged  state  of  the  American  finances.  Gen- 
eral Green  and  Colonel  Wadsworth,  gentlemen  in 
every  respect  qualified  for  the  duties  of  their  respec- 
tive stations,  were  yet  at  the  head  of  the  Quarter 
Master  and  Commissary  departments,  but  the  credit 
of  the  country  was  fallen,  they  had  not  the  means  to 
make  prompt  payment  for  articles  of  supply  ;  and 
they  found  it  impossible  to  lay  up  large  magazines  of 
provisions,  and  extremely  difiicult  to  obtain  supplies 
to  satisfy  the  temporary  wants  of  the  army. 

The  evil  was  increased  by  a  new  arrangement  in- 
troduced by  Congress  into  the  Commissary  depart- 
ment. A  fixed  salary  in  the  depreciated  currency 
of  the  country  was  given  to  the  Commissary  Gener- 
al, and  he  was  authorised  to  appoint  a  certain  num- 
ber of  deputies,  whose  stipends  were  also  established, 
and  no  emolument  of  office  was  allowed.  Deputies 
competent  to  the  business  could  not  be  obtained  up- 
on the  terms  established  by  Congress,  confusion  and 
derangement  ensued  through  the  whole  department, 
and  in  consequence  Colonel  Wads\vorth  was  con- 
strained to  resign  his  office. 

Before  the  month  of  January  expired,  the  sol- 
diers were  put  upon  allowance,  and  before  its  close, 
the  whole  stock  of  provision  in  store  was  exhausted, 
and  there  was  neither  meat  nor  flour  to  be  distribut- 
ed to  the  troops.  To  prevent  the  dissolution  of  the 
army,  theCommandcr  in  Chief  was  reluctantly  driv- 
en to  very  vigorous  measures.   He  apportioned  upon 


1780.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  231 

each  county  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey  a  quantity  of 
meat  and  flour,  according  to  the  ability  of  each,  to 
be  brought  into  camp  in  the  course  of  six  days.  At 
the  same  time  he  wrote  to  the  magistrates,  stating 
the  absolute  necessity  of  the  mcssure,  and  inform- 
ing them,  that  unless  the  inhabitants  voluntarily 
complied  with  the  requisition,  the  exigency  of  the 
case  would  force  him  to  obtain  it  by  military  exac- 
tion. 

To  the  honour  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Jersey, 
harassed  as  their  country  had  been,  the  iall  quantity 
of  provision  required  was  cheerfully  and  seasonably 
afforded. 

To  Congress  General  Washington  expressed 
his  sense  of  the  heroic  patience,  vi  ith  which  the 
troops  bore  the  privations  of  clothing  and  provisions 
through  this  winter  of  unusual  severity.  The  ex- 
tent of  these  privations  m  ill  be  seen  in  an  extract  of 
a  letter  written  by  the  Commander  in  Chief  to  his 
friend  General  Schuyler. 

"  Since  the  date  of  my  last  we  have  had  the  vir- 
tue and  patience  of  the  army  put  to  the  severest  trial. 
Sometimes  it  has  been  five  or  six  days  together  with- 
out bread ;  at  other  times,  as  many  days  without 
meat ;  and  once  or  twice,  two  or  three  days,  with- 
out either.  I  hardly  thought  it  possible  at  one  peri- 
od, that  we  should  be  able  to  keep  it  together,  nor 
could  it  have  been  done,  but  for  the  exertions  of  the 
magistrates  in  the  several  counties  of  this  State,  on 
whom  I  was  obliged  to  call,  expose  our  situation  to 
them,  and  in  plain  terms  declare  that  we  were  re- 
duced to  tlie  alternative  of  disbanding  or  catering 


232  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1730. 

for  ourselves,  unless  the  inhabitants  would  afford  us 
their  aid.  I  allotted  to  each  county  a  certain  pro- 
portion of  flour  or  grain,  and  a  certain  number  of 
cattle,  to  be  delivered  on  certain  days,  and  for  the 
honour  of  the  magistrates,  and  good  disposition  of 
the  people,  I  must  add,  that  my  requisitions  .were 
punctually  complied  with,  and  in  many  counties  ex- 
ceeded. Nothing  but  this  great  exertion  could 
have  saved  the  army  from  dissolution  or  starving, 
as  we  were  bereft  of  every  hope  from  the  commissa- 
ries. At  one  time,  the  soldiers  eat  every  kind  of 
horse  food  but  hay.  Buck  wheat,  common  wheat, 
rye,  and  Indian  corn  composed  the  meal  which 
made  their  bread.  As  an  army  they  bore  it  with 
the  most  heroic  patience ;  but  sufferings  like  these 
accompanied  with  the  want  of  clothes,  blankets.  Sec. 
will  produce  frequent  desertion  in  all  armies,  and  so 
it  happened  with  us,  though  it  did  not  excite  a  sin- 
gle mutiny." 

The  frost  of  this  winter  was  excessive.  For  six 
weeks  together,  the  waters  about  New  York  were 
covered  with  ice,  of  sufficient  thickness  to  admit  the 
passage  of  large  armies  with  waggons  and  the  heavi- 
est pieces  of  artillery.  The  city,  of  consequence,  in 
many  places,  became  assailable.  The  vigilant  and  ac 
live  mindof  General  Washington,  with  mortifica- 
tion, saw  an  opportunity  to  attack  his  enemy  which 
he  was  unable  to  embrace.  The  British  force  in 
New  York,  in  numbers,  exceeded  his  own,  and  the 
want  of  clothing  and  provision  rendered  it  impossi- 
ble to  move  his  troops  upon  an  extensive  enterprise. 
An  attempt  to  surprise  a  post  on  Staten  Island  failed. 


1780.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  233 


CHAPTER  VI L 


Amount  of  Paper  Emission, ...Congress  destitute  of  Meani  to 
support  the  War. ...Supplies  apportioned  upon  the  States.... 
Exertions  of  the  Commander  in  Chirf....Mutiny  in  a  part 
of  the  Armij....The  British  make  an  Excursion  into  JVetti 
Jersey. ...The  American  Troops  bravely  resist  them. ...The 
Court  of  France  promises  a  Altval  and  Land  Armament  to 
act  in  America... .Preparation  to  Cooperate  nvith  it... .A 
French  Squadron  arrives  on  the  American  Coast. ...Count 
Rochambeau  lands  at  J^eivport  nvith  five  thousand  Men..,. 
The  American  and  French  Commanders  meet  at  Hartford  to 
settle  the  Plan  of  the  Campaign., ..The  Second  Division  of  tM 
French  Troops  fails  ....General  Arnold  becomes  a  Traitor.... 

He  Corresponds  ivith  Major  Andre dndre  comes  on  Shore 

at  West  Point  ....Attempts  to  return  to  JVetv  York  by  land.... 

He  is  taken  into    Custody  by  three  Militia  Men 4  Board 

of  General  Officers  Condemn  him.. ..He  is  executed. ...Let.' 
ter  of  General  Washing  f on  on  the  State  of  the  Army.... 
Congress  adopts  a  Military  Establish?nent  for  the  War.,.. 
The  Army  goes  into  Winter  Quarters. 


1780.  Two  hundred  miliions  of  Dollars 
in  paper  currency  were  at  this  time  in  circulation, 
upon  the  credit  of  the  United  States.  Congress 
had  the  preceding  year  solemnly  pledged  the  faith 
of  government  not  to  emit  more  than  this  sum.  The 
National  Treasury  was  empty.  The  requisitions  of 
Congress  for  money  by  taxes,  assessed  by  the  au^ 
thority  of  the  States,  were  slowly  complied  with,  and 

G  G 


234  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [l78^. 

the  supplies  of  money,  in  this  way  obtained,  bore  no 
proportion  to  the  expenijCo  of  the  war. 

A  novel  state  of  things  was  in  consequence  in- 
troduced. Congress,  the  head  of  the  Nation,  had 
no  command  of  the  resources  of  the  country.  The 
power  of  taxation,  and  of  every  coercive  measure  of 
government,  rested  va  ith  the  State  Sovereignties, 
The  only  power  left  with  the  National  Council  was, 
to  apportion  supplies  of  provision  for  the  army,  as 
well  as  recruits  of  men,  upon  the  several  States. 

The  military  establishment  for  1780,  consisted 
of  thirty  five  thousand,  two  hundred  and  eleven  men. 
No  portion  of  these  u  as  to  be  raised  by  the  author- 
ity of  Congress,  but  in  the  whole  transaction  an  ab- 
solute dependence  was  placed  on  the  agency  of  the 
States.  Upon  the  States  also  specific  articles  of 
provision,  spirits  and  forage  were  apportioned  for 
the  subsistence  of  the  army.  Congress  gave  assur- 
ances that  accurate  accounts  should  be  kept,  and  re- 
solved, "  That  any  State  which  shall  have  taken  the 
necessary  measures  for  furnishing  its  quota,  and 
have  given  notice  thereof  to  Congress,  shall  be  au- 
thorised to  prohibit  any  Continental  Quarter  Master, 
or  Commissary  from  purchasing  within  its  limits." 

General  Washington  greatly  lamented  the 
necessity  of  managing  the  war  by  State  authorities. 
He  freely  suggested  to  Congress  the  defects  of  their 
system,  defects  m  hich  \vould  prevent  the  attainment 
of  competent  and  seasonable  supplies  for  the  troops. 
The  estimate,  he  observed,  in  all  articles  was  below 
the  ordinary  fVmiind,  t'  e  time  of  n  ception  was  left 
in  a  vague  manner  ;  and  no  provision  v/as  made  for 


1780.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  235 

extraordinary  exis^cncies.  No  means  were  adopted 
to  obtain  for  the  use  of  the  army  any  surplus  of  pro- 
duce, which  a  particular  State  might  conveniently 
supply,  beyond  its  apportionment ;  but  a  State  un- 
der this  predicament  was  authorised  to  prohiI;it  the 
National  Commissary  from  purchasing  such  surplus- 
age, whatever  might  be  the  publick  wants.  To  a 
friend  in  Congress,  he  in  a  private  letter  thus. freely 
expressed  his  opinion. 

*'  Certain  I  am,  that  unless  Congress  speaks  in  a 
more  decisive  tone  ;  unless  they  are  vested  with 
po\\ers  by  the  several  States,  competent  to  the  great 
purposes  of  the  war,  or  assum.e  them  as  matter  of 
right,  and  they,  and  the  States  respectively  act  v^  ith 
more  energy  than  they  hitherto  have  done  ;  that  our 
cause  is  lost.  We  can  no  longer  drudge  on  in  the 
old  way.  By  ill  timing  the  adoption  of  measures, 
by  delays  in  the  execution  of  them,  or  by  unwarrant- 
able jealousies,  we  incur  enormous  expenses,  and 
derive  no  benefit  from  them.  One  State  will  com- 
ply with  a  requisition  from  Congress,  another  neg- 
lects to  do  it,  and  a  third  executes  it  by  halves  ;  and 
all  differ  in  the  manner,  the  matter,  or  so  much  in 
point  of  time,  that  we  are  always  working  up  hill  ; 
and,  while  such  a  system  as  the  present  one,  or 
rather  want  of  one,  prevails,  we  ever  shall  be  unable 
to  apply  our  strength  or  resources  to  any  advantage. 

**  This,  my  dear  sir,  is  plain  language  to  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress,  but  it  is  the  language  of  truth  and 
friendship.  It  is  the  result  of  long  thinking,  close 
application,  and  strict  observation.  I  see  one  head 
gradually  changing  into  thirteen.     I  see  one  arm^ 


236  LIFE    OF    WASHINCTOIf.  [l780. 

branching  into  thirteen  ;  and  instead  of  looking  up 
to  Congress  as  the  supreme  controling  power  of 
the  United  States,  considering  themselves  as  de- 
pendent on  their  respective  States.  In  a  word,  I  see 
the  power  of  Congress  declining  too  fast  for  the  con- 
sequence and  respect  which  are  due  to  them  as  the 
great  representative  body  of  America,  and  am  fear- 
ful of  the  consequences." 

Although  General  Washington  had  weighty 
objections  to  the  plan  of  Congress,  he  exerted  him- 
self to  carry  it  into  effect.  His  personal  influence  was 
greater  than  that  of  any  other  man  in  the  union,  and 
this  new  order  of  things  required  its  full  exercise. 
He  wrote  to  the  Executives  and  Legislatures  of  the 
several  States,  stating  the  critical  situation  of  pub- 
lick  affairs,  pointing  out  the  fatal  consequences  that 
must  flow  from  the  inattention  and  neglect  of  those 
who  alone  possessed  the  power  of  coertion,  and  urg- 
ing them  by  all  the  motives  of  patriotism  and  self 
interest  to  comply  with  the  requisitions  of  Congress. 
But  each  of  the  States  felt  its  own  burdens,  and  was 
dilatory  in  its  efforts  to  promote  a  general  interest. 
A  system,  which  in  its  execution  required  the 
conjoint  agency  of  thirteen  Sovereignties,  was  too 
complex  for  the  prompt  operations  of  a  military 
body. 

In  the  course  of  the  winter  forage  had  failed, 
and  many  of  the  horses  attached  to  the  army  had 
died,  or  were  rendered  unfit  for  use.  General 
Washington  therefore  struggled  with  almost  in- 
superable  difiiculties  in  supplying  the  army.  He 
possessed  no  means  to  transport  provisions  from  a 


1780.]  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  237 

distance  but  by  impressment,  and  to  this  painful 
and  oppressive  mode,  he  was  obliged  frequently  to 
recur.  The  unbounded  confidence  placed  in  his 
patriotism,  wisdom  and  prudence,  enabled  him  to 
carry  these  measures  into  effect,  among  a  people 
tenacious  of  individual  rights,  and  jealous  of  tlie  en- 
croachment of  power. 

The  pay  of  the  officers  of  the  army  had  scarcely 
more  than  a  nominal  value.  They  were  unable  to 
support  the  appearance  of  gentlemen,  or  to  furnish 
themselves  with  the  conveniences  which  their  situa- 
tion required.  The  pride  essential  to  the  soldier  was 
deeply  wounded,  general  dissatisfaction  manifested 
itself,  and  increased  the  perplexities  of  the  Comman- 
der in  Chief.  The  officers  of  whole  lines  belonging 
to  some  of  the  States  in  a  body,  gave  notice  that  on 
a  certain  day,  they  should  resign  their  commissions, 
unless  provision  was  made  for  their  honourable  sup- 
port. The  animated  representation  of  the  danger 
of  this  rash  measure  to  that  country  in  M'hose  ser- 
vice they  had  heroically  suffered,  induced  them  to 
proffer  their  services  as  volunteers  until  their  suc- 
cessors should  be  appointed*  This,  their  General 
without  hesitation  rejected,  and  the  officers  reluct- 
antly consented  to  remain  in  the  army. 

A  statement  of  the  great  difficulties  which  the 
General  encountered,  led  Congress  to  depute  a 
Committee  of  llieir  body  to  camp,  to  consult  with 
him  upon  measures  necessary  to  be  adopted  to  re- 
move the  grievances  of  the  army.  This  Committee 
reported,  "  That  the  army  ^vas  unpaid  for  five 
months  ;  tliat  it   seldpm  had  more  than  six  days 


258  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON^  [1780, 

provision  in  advance,  and  was  on  several  occasions  for 
several  successive  days,  without  meat ;  that  the  army 
was  destitute  of  forage  ;  that  the  medical  depart- 
ment had  neither  sugar,  tea,  ciiocolate,  M-ine  or  spir- 
ituous liquors  of  any  kind  ;  that  every  department 
of  the  army  was  without  money,  and  had  not  even 
the  shadow  of  credit  left ;  that  the  patience  of  the 
soldiers,  borne  down  by  the  pressure  of  complicated 
sufferings,  was  on  the  point  of  being  exhausted." 

Congress  possessed  not  the  means  to  apply  ade- 
quate remedies  to  these  threatening  evils.  They 
passed  a  resolution,  which  was  all  they  could  do, 
"  That  Congress  will  make  good  to  the  line  of  the 
army,  and  to  the  independent  corps  thereof,  the  defi- 
ciencies of  their  original  pay,  which  had  been  occa- 
sioned by  the  depreciation  of  the  continental  curren- 
cy ;  and  that  money  or  other  articles  heretofore  re- 
ceived, should  be  considered  as  advanced  on  ac- 
count, to  be  comprehended  in  the  setUement  finally 
to  be  made."  This  resolution  was  published  in 
general  orders,  and  produced  a  good  effect ;  but  did 
not  remove  the  complaints  of  officers  or  men.  The 
promise  of  future  compensation  from  a  country, 
whose  neglect  was  conceived  to  be  the  source  of  all 
their  sufferings,  they  deemed  a  feeble  basis  of  de- 
pendence, at  the  moment  they  were  severely  pres- 
sed by  privations  of  every  kind. 

Murmurs  at  length  broke  out  into  ac- 
March  25.  ^^^j  mutiny.  Two  of  the  Connecticut 
regiments  paraded  under  arms  announcing  the  in- 
tention to  return  home,  or  by  their  arms  to  obtain 
subsistence.  The  other  regiments  from  Connecticut 


1780.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  239 

although  they  did  not  join  in  the  revolt,  exhibited  no 
inclination  to  aid  in  suppressing  the  mutineers,  but 
by  the  spirited  and  prudent  exertions  of  the  officers, 
the  ringleaders  were  secured,  and  the  regiments 
brought  back  to  iheirduty. 

The  perplexities  of  a  General,  who  commands  an 
army  in  this  situation,  are  not  to  be  described. 
When  the  officers  represented  to  the  soldiery  the 
greatness  of  the  cause  in  which  they  were  engaged, 
and  stated  the  late  resolution  of  Congress  in  their  fa- 
vour, they  answered,  that  for  five  months  they  had 
received  no  pay,  and  that  the  depreciated  state  of  the 
currency  would  render  their  pay  of  no  value  when 
received  ;  they  wanted  present  relief,  and  not  prom- 
ises of  distant  compensation  ;  their  sufferings  were 
too  great  to  be  supported  ;  and  they  must  have  im- 
mediate and  substantial  recompense  for  their  servic- 
es. To  the  complaints  of  the  army  were  joined 
murmurs  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Jersey,  on  ac- 
count of  the  frequent  requisitions  unavoidably  made 
upon  them. 

These  disaffections  were  carried  to  New  York 
with  the  customary  exaggerations  of  rumour.  Gen- 
eral Knyphausen,  the  commanding  officer  at  that 
post,  supposing  the  American  citizens  and  soldiers 
ripe  for  revolt,  passed  over  into  New  Jersey  \a  ith 
five  thousand  men,  to  avail  himself  of  fa- 
*  vourable  events,  and  probably  \\ith  the  in- 
tention to  drive  General  Washington  from  his 
camp  at  Morristou  n.  He  took  the  road  to  Spring- 
field, and  the  behaviour  of  the  Americans  soon  con- 
vinced him,  he  had  been  deceived  in  the  report  of 


§40  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1780. 

their  disaffected  and  mutinous  disposition.  The 
troops  detached  from  the  army  to  oppose  his  pro- 
gress, fought  with  obstinate  bravery  ;  and  the  inhab- 
itants seizing  their  arms  with  alacrity,  emulated  the 
spirit  and  persevering  courage  of  the  regular  soldier. 
The  enemy  finding  he  must  encounter  serious  oppo- 
sition, halted  at  Connecticut  farms,  consigned  most 
of  the  buildings  of  that  village  to  the  flames,  and 
then  retreated  to  Elizabeth  point,  opposite  to  Staten 
Island. 

While   General  Knyphausen  lay  at  Elizabeth 
point,   Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  four  thousand  men, 
returned  from  the  conquest  of  Charleston,  South  Ca- 
rolina, and  joined  him  at  that  place.     On  the  23d  of 
June   Sir  Henry   moved  by  different   routes,    five 
thousand  infantry,  and  a  large  body  of  cavalry,  with 
twenty  pieces  of  artillery,  towards  Springfield.  Gen- 
eral Washington  supposed   that  his  determined 
object  was  the  destruction  of  the  American  camp 
and  stores  at  Morristown.      The  effective  force  at 
this  time  under  his  immediate  command,  amounted 
to  little  more  than  three  thousand  men.     Not  being 
able  to  contend  with  the  enemy,  but  with  the  ad- 
vantage of  ground,  he  made  the  best  disposition  of 
his  small  force  to  defend  his  post,  and  detached  Gen- 
eral Green  with  a  thousand  men  to  guard  the  defiles 
on  the  road,  and  particularly  to  dispute  the  enemy's 
passage  of  the  bridge  near  Springfield.    This  service 
was  performed  with  great  military  judgment,  and 
with  the  spirit  and  efficacy  of  disciplined  courage. 
When  overpowered  by  numbers.    General  Green 
drew  up  his  brave  band  on  the  heights  back  of  Spring- 


17S0.]  LIFE    OF    V/ASHINGTON'.  241 

field.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  not  disposed  to  at- 
tack him  in  his  strong  position,  nor  to  encounter  the 
danger  of  proceeding  to  Morristown,  and  leaving 
Green  in  his  rear  ;  he  therefore  relinquished  the  ob- 
ject of  his  expedition,  and  burning  the  town  of 
Springfield  returned  to  New  York. 

General  Washington  keenly  felt  this  insult 
offered  to  his  country,  and  was  deeply  mortified  at 
his  inability  to  repel  it.  In  a  letter  to  a  friend  he 
observed,  *'  You  but  too  well  know,  and  will  regret 
with  me  the  cause  which  justifies  this  insulting  ma- 
noeuvre on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  It  deeply  affects 
the  honour  of  the  States,  a  vindication  of  which 
could  not  be  attempted  in  our  present  circumstances, 
without  most  intimately  hazarding  their  security  ; 
at  least  so  far  as  it  may  depend  on  the  security  of  the 
army.  Their  character,  their  interest,  their  all  that 
is  dear,  call  upon  them,  in  the  most  pressing  man- 
ner to  place  the  army  immediately  on  a  respectable 
footing." 

Late  in  the  spring  the  Marquis  La  Fayette  return^ 
cd  from  France  with  the  pleasing  intelligence  that 
his  government  had  resolved  to  assist  the  United 
States,  by  employing,  this  year,  a  respectable  land 
and  naval  force  in  America- 

This  grateful  information  reanimated  the  publick 
mind,  and  gave  a  new  stimulus  to  the  agency  of 
Congress,  and  of  the  governments  of  the  several 
states  ;  that  preparation  might  be  made  to  cooperate 
tvith  the  French  armament  on  its  arrival. 

This  event  excited  anew  in  the  breast  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief  the  mingled  emotions  of  anib.u 

H   H 


^42  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1780. 

tion  and  patriotism.  His  country  having  solicited 
foreign  aid,  he  felt  the  disgrace  she  must  suffer, 
should  the  allies  find  her  in  a  situation  not  to  second 
their  friendly  assistance.  He  anticipated  the  deep 
wound  that  would  be  inflicted  on  his  own  feelings, 
should  the  French  Commanders  find  him  the  nomi- 
nal head  of  a  naked,  destitute  and  inefficient  army. 
To  prevent  the  evils  that  were  apprehended,  he  ad- 
dressed a  circular  letter  to  the  governments  of  the 
states,  urging  them  to  exertions  proportionate  to  the 
present  prospect  of  their  country,  and  painting  to 
their  view  the  picture  of  dishonour  and  ruin  that 
must  arise  from  the  neglect  to  improve  this  pros- 
perous tide  in  their  affairs. 

Vigorous  measures  were  in  consequence  adopt- 
ed by  Congress  and  by  the  states  to  recruit  the  army, 
to  lay  up  magazines,  and  to  enable  their  General  to 
comply  with  the  reasonable  expectations  of  their  al- 
lies ;  but  the  agency  of  different  bodies  was  neces- 
sary to  carry  these  publick  measures  into  effect,  and 
their  operation  was  dilatory.  On  the  20th  of  June 
General  Washington  informed  Congress  that  the 
army  was  yet  destitute  of  many  essential  articles  of 
clothing.  "  For  the  troops,"  he  observed,  "to  be 
without  clothing  at  any  time  is  highly  injurious  to 
the  service,  and  distressing  to  our  feelings  ;  but 
the  want  will  be  more  peculiarly  mortifying  when 
they  come  to  act  with  our  allies.  If  it  be  possible 
I  have  no  doubt  immediate  measures  will  be  taken 
to  relieve  their  distresses. 

*'It  is  also  most  sincerely  to  be  wished  that  there 
would  be  some  supplies  of  clothing  furnished  to  the 


1780.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  245 

officers.  There  are  a  great  many  whose  condition 
is  still  miserable.  This  is,  in  some  instances,  the 
case  with  tlie  whole  lines  of  states.  It  would  be 
well  for  their  own  sakes,  and  for  the  publick  good,  if 
jhey  could  be  furnished.  They  will  not  be  able, 
when  our  friends  come  to  cooperate  with  us,  to  go 
on  a  ,common  routine  of  duty  ;  and  if  they  should, 
they  must,  from  their  appearance  be  held  in  low  esti- 
mation." 

In  the  near  prospect  of  the  arrival  of  the  French 
armaments,  the  embarrassments  of  General  Wash- 
ington increased.  His  army  was  not  yet  in  a  sit- 
uation to  cooperate  with  the  allies,  and  he  became 
extremely  anxious  to  know  the  force  on  which  he 
might  absolutely  depend.  He  wished  to  attack 
New  York  if  the  means  were  in  his  power.  But  to 
concert  an  attack  upon  this  post  with  the  French 
commanders,  and  in  the  event  be  unable  to  execute 
his  part  of  the  engagement,  he  knew  would  dishon- 
our the  American  arms,  and  expose  the  French  ma- 
rine force  employed  in  the  service,  to  destruction. 
Should  prudence  forbid  an  attempt  upon  New  York, 
his  force  might  be  competent  to  assail  some  other 
British  post,  and  it  was  highly  expedient  that  the 
plan  should  be  ripened,  and  all  measures  prepared 
for  immediate  action,  the  moment  the  French  de- 
tachments should  reach  the  continent.  The  anxie- 
ty  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  on  this  subject  was 
disclosed  in  the  following  letter  to  Congress. 

*'  The  season  is  come  when  we  have  every  rea- 
son to  expect  the  arrival  of  the  fleet,  and  yet  for 
want  of  this  point  of  primary  consequence,  it  is  im- 


5244  LITE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1780, 

possible  for  me  to  form  a  system  of  cooperation.     I 
have  no  basis  to  act  upon  ;  and  of  course,  m  ere  this 
generous  succour  of  our  ally  now  to  arrive,  I  should 
find  myself  in  the  most  awkward,  embarrassing,  and 
painful  situation.     The  General,  and  the  Admiral, 
from  the  relation  in  which  I  stand,  as  soon  as  they 
approach  our  coast,  will  require  of  me  a  plan  of  the 
measures  to  be  pursued,  and  there  ought  of  right  to 
be  one  prepared;  but  circumstanced  as  I  am,  I  can- 
not even  give  them  conjectures.      From  these  con- 
siderations,  I  have  suggested  to  the  Committee,  by 
a  letter  I  had  the  honour  of  addressing  them  yester- 
day,  the  indispensable  necessity   of  their   writing 
again  to  the  states,   urging  them  to  give  immediate 
and  precise  information  of  the  measure  they  have 
taken,  and  of  the  result.      The  interest  of  the  states, 
the  honour  and  reputation  of  our  councils,  the  jus- 
tice and  gratitude  due  to  our  allies,  all  require  that,  I 
should  without  delay  be  enabled  to  ascertain,  and  in- 
form them  what  we  can  or  cannot  undertake.  There 
is  a  point  which  ought  now  to  be  determined,  on 
the  success  of  which  all  our  future  operations  may 
depend,  on  which  for  want  of  knowing  our  pros- 
pects, I  can  make  no  decision,  for  fear  of  involving 
thefleet  and  army  of  our  allies  in  circumstances  which 
would  expose  them,  if  not  seconded  by  us,  to  mate- 
rial inconvenience  and  hazard.    I  shall  be  compelled- 
to  suspend  it,  and  the  delay  may  be  fatal  to  our 
hopes." 

Congress  had  assured  the  French  Minister,  that 
they  would  bring,  this  campaign,  twentyfive  thous- 
and men  into  the  field  j  that  to  these  such  detach- 


1780.]  MFi:    OF    WASHINGTON.  240 

ments  of  militia  should  be  added  as  to  make  a  force 
competent,  when  supported  by  a  naval  armament, 
to  attack  any  of  the  British  posts.  They  had  also 
engaged  to  lay  up  magazines  of  provisions  adequate 
to  the  demands  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States, 
and  of  any  division  of  French  troops,  acting  in  con- 
cert  with  them.  On  this  account  the  deficiences  of 
the  army  lay  with  the  more  gaUing  weight  upon  the 
mind  of  General  Washington. 

While  he  was  revolving  this  important  subject, 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Admiral  Arbuthnot  returned 
from  South  Carolina,  to  New  York,  whose  garrison 
now  consisted  of  eleven  thousand   regular  troops. 
The  prospect  of  successful  operations  against  this 
post  was  by  the  event  greatly  diminished.      In  the 
absence  of  the  British  armament  it  had  been  propos- 
ed by  the  American  Commander,  that  the  French 
fleet  should,  as  soon  as  it  reached  the   American 
coast,  block  up  the  harbour  of  New  York,  and  co- 
operate with  the  army  in  the  attack  upon  that  place. 
But  in  this  change  of  circumstances,  he  conceived  it 
adviseable  that  the  French  squadron   should   enter 
the  harbour  of  Newport,  land  their  troops,  and  there 
wait  until  a  plan  of  joint  operation  should  be  formed. 
At  length  the  first  division  of  French 
'    troops  reached  the  American  shore,  con- 
sisting of  between  five  and  six  thousand  men,  with 
a  large  train  of  battering  and  field  artillery.     These 
forces  were  commanded  by  Count  de  Rochambeau, 
whose  government  had  placed  him  under  tlie  com- 
mand   of  General  Washington.       The   Count 
brought  information,  that  a  second  division  would 


246  LIf£    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1780. 

follow  him  as  soon  as  transports  could  be  fitted  to 
bring  them. 

The  principal  French  and  American  officers  as- 
siduously cultivated  a  mutual  affection  between  the 
two  armies ;  and  the  Commander  in  Chief  recom- 
mended to  the  officers  of  the  United  States  to  ingraft 
on  the  American  cockade,  a  white  relief,  as  an  em- 
blem of  the  alliance  of  the  two  powers. 

At  the  arrival  of  the  French,  the  Americans  were 
unprepared  to  act  with  them,  nor  did  the  American 
General  know  what  force  would  ultimately  be 
brought  into  the  field.  But  it  became  necessary  for 
him  to  make  arrangements  with  the  French  com- 
manders for  offensive  operations  against  the  enemy, 
on  the  arrival  of  the  reinforcements.  In  this 
weighty  transaction,  he  consulted  the  honour  and 
interest  of  the  United  States,  rather  than  the  ex- 
isting condition  of  his  army.  Confiding  in  the 
successful  efforts  that  his  countrymen  would,  on  this 
occasion  make,  he  communicated  to  Count  de  Ro- 
chambeau,  his  intention  to  comply  with  the  engage- 
ments into  which  Congress  had  entered  with  the 
Court  of  Versailles. 

The  solicitude  of  the  General  on  this  subject, 
appears  in  the  following  communication,  which  at 
the  time  he  made  to  the  President  of  Congress. 
"  Pressed  on  •all  sides  by  a  choice  of  difficulties,  in 
n  moment  which  required  decision,  I  have  adopted 
that  line  of  conduct  which  comported  with  the  dig- 
nity and  faith  of  Congress  ;  the  reputation  of  these 
States,  and  the  honour  of  our  arms.  1  have  sent  on 
definitive  proposals   of  cooperation  to  the  French 


1780.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON-.  247 

General  and  Admiral.  Neither  the  period  of  the 
season,  nor  a  regard  to  decency  would  permit  delay. 
The  die  is  cast  :  And  it  remains  with  the  States* 
either  to  fulfil  their  engagements,  preserve  their 
credit,  and  support  their  independence,  or  to  involve 
us  in  disgrace  and  defeat.  Notwithstanding  the 
failure  pointed  out  by  the  Committee,  I  shall  pro- 
ceed, on  the  supposition  that  they  will,  ultimately 
consult  their  own  interest  and  honour,  and  not  to 
suffer  us  to  fail  for  the  want  of  means  which  it  is  ev- 
idently in  their  power  to  afford.  What  has  been 
done,  and  is  doing  by  some  of  the  States,  confirms 
the  opinion  I  have  entertained  of  sufficient  resources 
in  the  country.  Of  the  disposition  of  the  peo- 
ple to  submit  to  any  arrangements  for  bringing 
them  forth,  I  see  no  reasonable  ground  to  doubt. 
If  we  fail  for  the  want  of  proper  exertions  in  any  of 
the  governments,  I  trust  the  responsibility  will  fail 
where  it  ought ;  and  that  I  shall  stand  justified  to 
Congress,  my  country,  and  the  world." 

The  plan  of  joint  operation  was  formed  upon  the 
presumption,  that  the  French  would  maintain  a  na- 
val superiority  in  the  American  sea.  But  soon  af- 
ter the  arrival  of  the  French,  the  British  on  this  sta- 
tion, were  reinforced  by  a  squadron  superiour  to 
that  which  convoyed  the  troops  of  His  Most  Chris- 
tian Majesty.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Admiral 
Greaves  contemplated  an  attack  upon  the  French 
in  their  new  station,  and  after  great  delay,  six  thou- 
sand troops  of  the  flower  of  their  army  were  embark- 
ed, and  supported  by  the  fleet,  sailed  to  Hunting- 
don Bay»  But  the  commanders  here  learning  the  im- 


248  LIFE     Of     WAJ5HIN6TON.  [l780. 

proved  state  of  the  fortifications  at  Newport,  laid 
aside  the  expedition.  During  these  movements, 
General  Washington  collected  his  force  and 
crossed  the  North  River,  with  the  intention  to  at- 
tack  New  York,  should  the  British  General  jwo- 
ceed  in  his  attempt  against  the  French.  He  confi- 
dently expected  in  this  case  to  establish  himself  in 
some  commanding  position,  which  would  not  only 
compel  General  Clinton  to  abandon  his  enterprise, 
but  also  facilitate  the  success  of  his  operations  against 
the  city.  The  return  of  Sir  Henry  induced  the 
American  General  to  recross  into  New  Jersey,  and 
to  post  his  army  at  Orangetown.  To  expedite  the 
meditated  operation  against  New  York,  he  also  took 
possession  of  ground  about  Dobb's  ferry,  ten  miles 
above  King's  bridge,  and  erected  works  to  com- 
mand the  river. 

The  offensive  measures  to  be  pursued  by  the 
allies  were  suspended  upon  the  event  of  the  French 
naval  force  in  America  being  reinforced.  General 
Washington  exerted  himself  to  be  in  the  best 
state  of  preparation,  to  embrace  any  opportunity  that 
might  present  to  annoy  the  enemy. 

At  this  critical  moment,  Congress,  against  the 
remonstrance  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and  all 
his  General  Officers,  introduced  those  essential 
changes  in  the  Quarter  Master  General's  depart- 
ment, which  induced  General  Green  to  resign  the 
office  of  Quarter  Master.  Colonel  Pickering  was 
appointed  his  successor,  who,  in  the  full  exercise 
of  a  mind,  judicious,  active  and  indefatigable,  found 
it  impossible  to  execute  the  business  of  the  depart- 
ment on  the  plan  of  Congress. 


1780.1  I-IFK   or    WASHINGTON.  240. 

The  stores  of  the  Commissary  failing,  General 
Washington  was  necessitated  to  open  and  exhaust 
the  magazines  of  West  Point,  and  to  forage  upon 
the  already  distressed  inhabitants  of  the  country,  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  his  camp.  These  deficien- 
cies at  the  moment  that  brilliant  achievements  were 
generally  expected,  gave  a  presage  of  disappoint- 
ment. 

The  second  French  armament  was  daily  expect- 
ed, and  General  Washington  had  ordered  a  large 
body  of  militia  into  the  field  ;  but  the  difficulty  of 
procuring  subsistence  led  him  to  countermand  the 
order  for  their  march  to  camp,  although  their  aid 
M^ould  be  essential  in  the  event  of  active  operations. 
The  American  and  French  Command- 
^^^*  •  ers  met  at  Hartford  to  complete  the  gener- 
al system  of  subsequent  operations,  and  they  agreed 
to  direct  their  offensive  measures  against  the  British 
post  in  New  York. 

While  expectations  of  immediate  and  effectual  aid 
from  France  were  entertained  through  the  United 
States,  information  was  brought,  that  the  second  arm- 
ament destined  for  America  was  blocked  up  in  the 
harbour  of  Brest,  and  would  not  this  season  reach  the 
American  Continent.  The  flattering  prospect  of  ter- 
minating the  war  by  the  conquest  of  the  British  posts 
in  a  moment  vanished  ;  and  elevated  views  of  bril- 
liant success  were  succeeded  by  disappointment  and 
chagrin.  General  WashiJ^gton  himself  had  admit- 
ted the  persuasion,  that  the  campaign  would  end  in  a 
decisive  manner;  and  he  felt  the  deepest  mortification 
at  its  failure.  "  We  are,"  he  observed  in  a  letter  to  a 
J  I 


250  LIFE    OP    WASHINGTON.  [1780. 

friend,  ''  now  drawing  to  a  close  an  inactive  cam- 
paign, the  beginning  of  which  appeared  pregnant 
with  events  of  a  very  favourable  complexion.  I 
hoped,  but  I  hoped  in  vain,  that  a  prospect  was 
opening  which  would  enable  me  to  fix  a  period  to 
my  military  pursuits,  and  restore  me  to  domestick 
life.  The  favourable  disposition  of  Spain,  the 
promised  succour  from  France,  the  combined  force 
in  the  West  Indies,  the  declaration  of  Russia,  (acced- 
ed to  by  other  powers  of  Europe,  humiliating  to 
the  naval  pride  and  power  of  Great  Britain)  the  su- 
periority of  France  and  Spain  by  sea  in  Europe,  the 
Irish  claims  and  English  disturbances,  formed  in  the 
aggregate,  an  opinion  in  my  breast  which  is  not  very 
susceptible  of  peaceful  dreams,  that  the  hour  of  de- 
liverance was  not  far  distant ;  for  that  however  un- 
willing Great  Britain  might  be  to  yield  the  point,  it 
would  not  be  in  her  power  to  continue  the  contest. 
But  alas  !  These  prospects,  flattering  as  they  were, 
have  proved  delusory  ;  and  I  see  nothing  before  us 
but  accumulating  distress.  We  have  been  half  of 
our  time  without  provisions,  and  are  likely  to  con- 
tinue so.  We  have  no  magazines,  nor  money  to 
form  them.  We  have  lived  upon  expedients,  until 
we  can  live  no  longer.  In  a  word,  the  history  of 
the  war  is  a  history  of  false  hopes,  and  temporary 
devices,  instead  of  system  and  economy.  It  is  in 
vain,  however  to  look  back,  nor  is  it  our  business 
to  do  so.  Our  case  is  not  desperate,  if  virtue  ex- 
ists in  the  people,  and  there  is  wisdom  among  our 
rulers.  But  to  suppose  that  this  great  revolution 
can  be  accomplished  by  a  temporary  army ;  that 


1780.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  251 

this  army  will  be  subsisted  by  state  supplies,  and 
that  taxation  alone  is  adequate  to  our  wants,  is  in 
my  opinion  absurd,  and  as  unreasonable  as  to  expect 
an  inversion  of  the  order  of  nature  to  accommodate 
itself  to  our  views.  If  it  were  necessary,  it  would 
be  easily  proved  to  any  person  of  a  moderate  under- 
standing, that  an  annual  army,  or  any  army  raised 
on  the  spur  of  the  occasion,  besides  being  unquali- 
fied for  the  end  designed,  is,  in  various  ways,  which 
could  be  enumerated,  ten  times  more  expensive 
than  a  permanent  body  of  men  under  good  organiza- 
tion and  military  discipline  ;  which  never  was,  nor 
ever  will  be  the  case  with  new  troops.  A  thousand 
arguments,  resulting  from  experience  and  the  nature 
of  things  might  alao  be  aduced  to  prove  that  the  ar- 
my, if  it  is  to  depend  on  state  supplies  must  dis- 
band or  starve  ;  and  that  taxation  alone,  (especially 
at  this  late  hour)  cannot  furnish  the  means  to  carry 
on  the  war.  Is  it  not  time  to  retract  from  errour, 
and  benefit  from  experience  ?  or  do  we  want  further 
proof  of  the  ruinous  system,  we  have  pertinaciously 
adhered  to  ?" 

At  the  time,  the  country  was  exhausting  its  re- 
sources, and  General  Washington,  under  innu- 
merable embarrassments  exerting  every  power  to 
obtain  an  honourable  peace,  treason  entered  the 
strong  hold  of  independence,  and  planned  the  des- 
truction of  the  infant  states  of  America.  General 
Arnold  early  and  warmly  embraced  the  American 
cause.  His  enterprising  spirit,  his  invincible  forti- 
tude, his  heroic  and  persevering  ardour  in  battle, 
had  exalted  his  military  character,  in  his  own  coun-  , 


252  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  [1780. 

try  and  in  Europe.  Being  incapacitated  for  the  du- 
ties of  the  field,  by  the  wounds  he  received  before 
Quebec,  and  at  Saratoga,  he  was  appointed  Com- 
mandant in  Philadelphia,  when  the  British  evac- 
uated that  city.  In  this  flattering  command,  he  a- 
dopted  a  stile  of  living  above  his  means,  and  soon 
found  himself  loaded  with  debt.  He  entered  into 
various  schemes  of  speculation,  and  was  unsuccess- 
ful in  all.  Hollow  at  heart,  he  had  recourse  to  fraud 
and  peculation.  These  practices  rendered  him  odi- 
ous to  the  citizens,  and  gave  offence  to  government. 
At  length  formal  complaints  were  lodged  against 
him ;  and  Congress  ordered  his  trial  by  a  Court 
Martial.  By  this  Court  he  was  found  guilty,  and 
sentenced  to  be  reprimanded  by  the  Command- 
er iu  Chief.  The  sentence  was  approved  by  Con- 
gress, and  carried  into  execution  by  General  Wash- 
iNGTON.  In  the  gold  that  was  to  reward  his  trea- 
son, Arnold  expected  relief  from  his  pecuniary  em- 
barrassments ;  and  his  implacable  spirit  sought  its 
revenge  of  his  country  by  betraying  into  the  hand 
of  her  enemy  the  post  that  had  been  called  the  Gib- 
raltar of  America. 

West  Point  was  the  first  post  in  importance  with- 
in the  United  States.  Its  great  natural  strength  had 
been  increased  by  every  expense  and  labour  of  for- 
tification ;  and  it  was  an  object  on  which  General 
Washington  perpetually  kept  his  eye.  This  for- 
tress Arnold  selected  to  give  consequence  to  his 
apostacy.  By  the  surrender  of  this  into  ihe  hands 
of  the  British  commander,  he  expected  to  insure  a 
high  price  for  liis  treason,  and,  at  the  same  moment, 


1780.1  H'E   or    WASHINGTON.  255 

to  inflict  a  mortal  wound  upon  his  country.  His 
measures  were  artfully  adopted  to  accomplish  his 
perfidious  purpose.  He  obtained  a  letter  from  a 
member  of  Congress  to  General  Washington,  re- 
commending him  to  the  command  of  this  important 
post.  He  induced  General  Schuyler  to  mention  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  his  desire  to  rejoin  the 
army,  and  his  inclination  to  do  garrison  duty. 

At  the  time  General  Washington  was  moving 
down  to  New  York,  when  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had 
embarked  a  large  body  of  troops,  with  the  design  to 
attack  the  French  at  Newport,  he  offered  the  com- 
mand of  the  left  wing  of  the  army  to  General  Ar- 
nold,  who  declined  on  the  plea  that  his  wound  un- 
fitted him  for  the  active  duties  of  the  field  ;  but  he 
intimated  a  desire  to  command  at  West  Point. 
Knowing  his  ambition  for  military  fame,  the  Gene- 
ral was  surprised  that  Arnold  declined  this  favoura- 
ble opportunity  to  distinguish  himself ;  but  the  pu- 
rity of  his  own  mind  forbid  him  to  suspect  an  officer 
of  treason,  whose  blood  had  been  freely  shed  in  the 
cause  of  his  country,  and  he  gratified  him  with  the 
solicited  command. 

Under  fictitious  names,  and  in  the  disguise  of 
mercantile  business,  Arnold  had  already  opened  a 
correspondence  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton  through 
Major  Andre,  Adjutant  General  of  the  British  army. 
To  him  the  British  General  committed  the  maturing 
of  Arnold's  treason,  and  to  facilitate  measures  for  its 
execution,  the  Vulture  sloop  of  war  conveyed  him 
up  the  North  river.  Under  a  pass  for  John  Ander- 
son, Andre  came  on  shoie  in  the  night,  and  had  a 


254  LITE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1780, 

personal  interview  with  Arnold  without  the  Ameri- 
can works.  The  morning  opened  upon  them  be- 
fore their  business  was  accomplished.  Arnold  told 
Andre  that  his  return  on  board  the  Vulture  by  day- 
light was  impracticable,  and  that  he  must  be  con- 
cealed until  the  next  night.  For  this  purpose  he 
was  conducted  within  an  American  post,  and  spent 
the  day  with  Arnold.  In  the  course  of  the  day  a 
gun  was  brought  to  bear  on  the  Vulture,  which 
obliged  her  to  shift  her  station  ;  and  at  night  the 
boatmen  on  this  account,  refused  to  carry  Andre  on 
board  the  sloop. 

The  return  to  New  York  by  land,  was  the  only 
alternative  left.  To  render  the  attempt  the  more 
safe,  Major  Andre  laid  aside  hU  uniform,  which  he 
had  yet  worn  under  a  surtout,  and  in  a  plain  coat, 
on  horseback,  began  his  journey.  He  was  fur- 
nished with  a  passport  signed  by  Arnold,  in  which 
permission  was  granted  to  John  Anderson  "  to  go  to 
the  lines  of  White  Plains,  or  lower  if  he  thought 
proper,  he  being  on  publick  service."  Alone,  and 
without  having  excited  suspicion,  he  passed  the 
American  guards,  and  was  silendy  congratulating 
himself  that  he  had  passed  all  danger,  when  his  im- 
aginary security  was  disturbed  by  three  militfa  men, 
who  were  scouring  the  country  between  the  outposts 
of  the  hostile  armies.  They  suddenly  seized  the 
bridle  of  his  horse,  and  challenged  his  business  in 
that  place.  The  surprise  of  the  moment  put  him 
off  his  guard,  and  instead  of  shewing  his  pass,  he 
hastily  asked  the  men,  "  where  do  you  belong?" 
they  answered   "  to  below,"  meaning  New  York. 


1780.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  255 

The  Major  instantly  replied,  "  so  do  I.'*  He  de- 
clared himself  to  be  a  British  officer,  and  pressed 
for  permission  to  proceed  on  the  urgent  business  on. 
which  he  was  employed. 

The  mistake  was  soon  apparent,  and  he  offered 
the  men  a  purse  of  gold  and  a  valuable  gold  watch, 
for  permission  to  pass  ;  and  on  condition  that  they 
would  accompany  him  to  the  city,  he  promised  them 
present  reward  and  future  promotion.  But  the  pat- 
riotism of  these  yeomen  could  not  be  bribed. 

They  proceeded  to  search  Andre,  and  found 
secreted  in  his  boots,  in  the  hand  writing  of  Ar- 
nold, exact  returns  of  the  state  of  the  forces,  ord- 
nance and  defences  of  West  Point,  with  critical  re- 
marks on  the  works,  and  oilier  important  papers. 
They  conducted  their  prisoner  to  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel Jameson,  who  commanded  the  troops  on  the 
lines.  Their  names  were  John  Paulding,  David 
Williams,  and  Isaac  Van  Vert.  Congress  eventually 
setded  on  each  of  them  an  annual  pension  of  two 
hundred  dollars  during  life ;  and  presented  each  with 
a  silver  medal,  on  one  side  of  which  was  a  shield  with 
the  inscription  "  Fidelity ;"  and  on  the  other  the 
motto  "  Amor  Patriae." 

Andre  still  passed  as  John  Anderson,  and  re- 
quested permission  to  write  to  General  Arnold  to  in- 
form him  that  Anderson  was  detained.  The  Colo- 
nel thoughtlessly  permitted  the  letter  to  be  sent. 
Colonel  Jameson  forwarded  to  General  Washing- 
ton the  papers  found  on  the  prisoner,  and  a  state- 
ment of  the  manner  in  which  he  was  taken.  The 
General    was  then  on  his  return    from  Hartford, 


i256  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1780. 

and  the  express  unfortunately  took  a  road  differ- 
ent from  that  on  which  he  was  travelling,  and  pass- 
ed him.  This  occasioned  so  great  loss  of  time, 
that  Arnold  having  received  Andre's  letter,  made 
his  escape  on  board  the  Vulture,  before  the  order 
for  his  arrest  arrived  at  West  Point. 

As  soon  as  Andre  thought  that  time  had  been 
given  for  Arnold  to  make  his  escape,  he  flung  off 
the  dis£^uise  which  was  abhorrent  to  his  nature,  and 
assumed  his  appropriate  character  of  ingenuousness 
and  honour.  The  express  which  conveyed  the  in- 
telligence of  his  capture,  was  charged  with  a  letter 
from  him  to  General  Washington,  in  which,  he 
declared  his  name  and  rank,  stated  that  he  had,  by 
order  of  his  Sir  HenryCUnton,  corresponded  with  Ar- 
nold, that  his  intention  was  to  have  met  him  on  neutral 
ground,  and  that  against  his  stipulation  he  had  been 
brought  within  an  American  post.  Attempting  to 
make  his  escape  from  it  he  had  been  betrayed  into  the 
vile  condition  of  an  enemy  in  disguise,  and  he  re- 
quested that,  **  whatever  his  fate  might  be,  a  decency 
of  treatment  might  be  observed,  which  would  mark, 
that  though  unfortunate  he  was  branded  with  nothing 
that  was  dishonourable,  and  that  he  was  involuntari- 
ly an  impostor.  The  decorous  and  manly  deport- 
ment of  Andre  greatly  interested  in  his  favour  the 
American  army  and  nation.  He  was  endowed  with 
properties  to  conciliate  general  esteem.  His  char- 
acter is  thus  beautifully  painted  by  the  late  General 
Hamilton,  who  without  envy  might  have  contem- 
plated his  eminent  qualities,  for  they  were  not  e- 
qual  to  his  own.     *'  There  was  something  singular-- 


1780.]  LITX.    OF    WASHINGTON.  257 

ly  interesting  in  the  character  of  Andre.  To  an  ex- 
cellent understanding,  well  improved  by  education 
and  travel,  he  united  a  peculiar  elegance  of  mind  and 
manners,  and  the  advantages  of  a  pleasing  person. 
It  is  said  that  he  possessed  a  pretty  taste  for  the  fine 
arts,  and  had  himself  attained  some  proficiency  in 
poetry,  music  and  painting.  His  knowledge  appear- 
ed without  ostentation,  and  embellished  by  a  diffi- 
dence that  rarely  accompanies  so  many  talents  and 
accomplishments,  which  left  you  to  suppose  more 
than  appeared.  His  sentiments  were  elevated  and 
inspired  esteem,  they  had  a  softness  that  conciliated 
affection.  His  elocution  was  handsome,  his  address 
easy,  polite  and  insinuating.  By  his  merit  he  had  ac- 
quired the  unlimited  confidence  of  his  General,  and 
was  making  rapid  progress  in  military  rank  and 
reputation.  But  in  the  height  of  his  career,  flushed 
with  new  hopes  from  the  execution  of  a  project  the 
most  beneficial  to  his  party  that  could  be  devised, 
he  is  at  bnce  precipitated  from  the  summit  of  pros- 
perity, sees  all  the  expectations  of  his  ambition  blast- 
ed, and  himself  ruined.  The  character  I  have  giv- 
en of  hi  A  is  drawn  partly  Irom  what  I  saw  of  him 
myself,  and  partly  from  information.  I  am  aware 
that  a  man  of  real  merit  is  never  seen  in  so  favoura- 
ble a  light  as  through  the  medium  of  adversity.  The 
clouds  that  surround  him  are  so  many  shades  that 
set  off  his  good  qualities.  Misfortune  cuts  down 
little  vanities,  that  in  prosperous  times  serve  as  so 
many  spots  in  his  virtues  ;  and  gives  a  tone  to  hu- 
manity that  makes  his  worth  more  amiable. 


258  tlTE    OF    WASHINGTON,  [1780. 

**His  spectators,  who  enjoy  a  happier  lot,  are 
less  prone  to  detract  from  it  through  envy ;  and  arc 
much  disposed  by  compassion  to  give  the  credit  he 
deserves,  and  perhaps  even  to  magnify  it." 

General  Washington  referred  the  case  of  Ma- 
jor Andre  to  a  Board  of  fourteen  General  officers. 
Of  this  Board  General  Green  was  President,  and  the 
foreign  Generals  La  Fayette  and  Steuben  were  mem- 
bers. They  were  to  determine  in  what  character 
he  was  to  be  considered,  and  what  punishment  ought 
to  be  inflicted.  This  Board  treated  their  prisoner 
with  the  utmost  delicacy  and  tenderness.  They  de- 
sired him  to  answer  no  question  that  embarrassed 
his  feelings.  But,  concerned  only  for  his  honour, 
he  frankly  confessed  that  he  did  not  come  on  shore 
under  the  sanction  of  a  flag,  and  stated  so  fully  all  facts 
respecting  himself,  that  it  became  unnecessary  to 
examine  a  single  witness  ;  but  he  cautiously  guard- 
ed against  communications  that  would  involve  tl^c 
guilt  of  others. 

The  Board  reported  the  important  facts  in  the 
case,  and  gave  it  as  their  opinion  that  Andre  was  a 
Spy,  and  that  agreeably  to  the  laws  and  usages  "of 
nations,  he  ought  to  suffer  death.  His  execution 
took  place  next  day. 

Andre  was  reconciled  to  death,  but  not  to  the 
mode  of  dying,  w  hich  the  laws  of  war  had  assigned 
to  persons  in  his  situation.  He  wished  to  die  as  a 
soldier,  not  as  a  criminal.  In  language,  that  proved 
him  possessed  of  the  nicest  feelings  of  heroism  and 
honour,  he  wrote  to  General  Washington,  soli- 
citing that  he  might  not  die  on  a  gibbet :  But  the 


1780.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON".  259 

Stern  maxims  of  justice  forbade  a  compliance  with 
the  request,  although  the  sensibility  of  the  General 
was  wounded  by  a  refusal. 

Major  Andre  walked  with  composure  to  the 
place  of  execution  between  two  American  officers. 
When  he  beheld  the  instrument  of  his  fate,  he  asked 
with  some  emotion,  '*  must  I  die  in  this  manner  ?" 
*'  It  is  unavoidable,"  was  the  answer.  He  replied, 
*'  I  am  reconciled  to  my  fate,  but  not  to  the  mode  ;" 
but  immediately  added,  "  it  will  be  but  a  moment- 
ary pang."  With  a  countenance  of  serenity  and 
magnanimity  that  melted  the  heart  of  every  specta- 
tor, he  mounted  the  cart.  Being  asked  at  the  fatal 
moment  if  he  wished  to  say  any  thing,  only  that 
*'  you  will  witness  to  the  world,  that  I  die  like  a 
brave  man." 

Never,  perhaps,  did  an  execution  of  this  kind 
more  deeply  interest  the  finer  feelings  of  human  na- 
ture. The  General  officers,  who  reported  his  case, 
lamented  the  necessity  they  were  under  to  advise 
that  as  a  spy  he  should  be  hung,  and  the  heart  of 
General  Washington  was  wrung  with  anguish 
when  he  signed  his  death  warrant.  But  the  fatal 
wound  that  would  have  been  inflicted  on  the  country, 
had  Arnold's  treason  succeeded,  made  the  sacrifice 
necessary  for  the  publick  safety.  The  American  of- 
ficers universally  discovered  a  sympathy  for  the  un- 
fortunate sufferer,  and  the  sensibility  of  the  publick 
was  greatly  excited  on  the  occasion. 

Great,  but  unavailing  endeavours  had  been  used 
by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  save  Major  Andre.  Even 
Arnold  had  the   presumption  to  write  a  threatening 


26Q  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1780. 

letter  to  General  Washington  on  the  subject. 
The  General  deigned  not  to  answer  his  letter,  but 
he  conveyed  to  him  his  wife  and  his  baggage.  The 
merits  and  the  fate  of  Andre  gave  a  darker  shade  to 
the  baseness^and  treachery  of  Arnold,  and  he  became 
an  object  of  publick  detestation  and  abhorrence. 
*'  Andre,"  observed  General  Washington  in  a  let- 
ter to  a  friend,  "  has  met  his  fate  with  that  fortitude 
which  was  to  be  expected  from  an  accomplished 
man  and  gallant  officer ;  but  I  am  mistaken  if  at  this 
time  Arnold  is  undergoing  the  torments  of  a  mental 
hell.  He  wants  feeling  :  From  some  traits  of  his 
character,  Avhich  have  lately  come  to  my  knowledge, 
he  seems  to  have  been  so  hackneyed  in  crime,  so  lost 
to  all  sense  of  honour  and  shame,  that  while  his  fac- 
ulties still  enable  him  to  continue  his  sordid  pursuits, 
there  will  be  no  time  for  remorse."*' 

Arnold  published  at  New  York,  an  address  to  the 
inhabitants  of  America,  and  a  proclamation  to  the 
officers  and  soldiers  of  the  American  army.  In  these 
publications,  he  attempted  to  sow  the  seeds  of  dis- 
affection to  the  government  among  the  citizens,  and 
to  allure,  by  the  prospect  of  emolument  and  promo- 
tion, numbers  from  the  army  to  the  British  standard ; 
but  these  publications  met  with  universal  indigna- 
tion and  contempt.     During  ihe  whole  period  of  the 

*  Colonel  Hamilton  in  a  private  letter  to  a  friend  unfolded  the  practices  to 
which  General  Washington  here  alludes.  "This man  (Arnold)  is  in  ev- 
ery sense  despicable.  In  addition  to  the  scene  of  knavery  and  prostitution 
during  his  command  in  Philadelphia,  which  the  late  ieizure  of  his  papers 
has  unfolded,  the  history  of  his  command  at  West  Point  is  a  history  of  little 
as  yitW  as  great  villainies.  He  practiced  every  dirty  art  of  peculation  and 
even  stooped  to  connexions  with  the  settlers  of  the  garrison  to  defraud  the 
publick." 


1780.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  261 

revolutionary  war,  the  infamous  Arnold  was  the  on- 
ly American  officer,  who  deserted  his  banners,  and 
turned  his  sword  against  the  bosom  of  his   country. 

On  the  discovery  of  the  defection  of  Arnold, 
General  Washington  strengdiened  the  garrison 
of  West  Point,  and  moved  the  army  to  a  position  to 
support  it,  should  Sir  Henry  Clinton  make  an  at- 
tempt to  carry  the  post.  But  although  he  had  ac- 
quired a  correct  knowledge  of  its  w  orks,  and  was  as- 
sisted by  the  advice  of  Arnold,  he  was  not  inclined 
to  hazard  the  assault  unaided  by  plot  and  stratagem. 

The  state  of  the  army  lay  perpetually  upon  the 
mind  of  the  Commander  in  Chief.  Not  wholly  dis- 
couraged  by  former  unsuccessful  attempts  to  per- 
suade Congress  to  adopt  a  permanent  military  es- 
tablishment, he  embraced  the  inactive  period  of  this 
campaign  once  more  to  address  that  honourable  body 
on  this  important  subject. 

His  letter  was  dated  as  early  as  August,  while 
exerting  himself  to  be  in  readiness  to  cooperate  with 
the  French  troops,  and  he  observed, 

"  But  while  we  are  meditating  offensive  operations 
which  may  either  not  be  undertaken  at  all,  or  being 
undertaken  may  fail,  I  am  persuaded  Congress  are 
not  inattentive  to  the  present  state  of  the  army,  and 
will  view  in  the  same  light  with  me  the  necessity  of 
providing  in  time  against  a  period  (die  first  of  Jan- 
uary) when  one  half  of  our  present  force  will  dis- 
solve. The  shadow  of  an  army  that  will  remain, 
will  have  every  motive,  except  mere  patriolism,  to 
abandon  the  service,  without  the  hope  which  has 
hitherto  supported  them  of  a  change  for  the  better. 


262  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1780. 

This  is  almost  extinguished  now,  and  certainly  will 
not  outlive  the  campaign,  unless  it  finds  something 
more  to  rest  upon.  This  is  a  truth  of  which  every 
spectator  of  the  distress  of  the  army  cannot  help  be- 
ing convinced.  Those  at  a  distance  may  speculate 
differently  ;  but  on  the  spot  an  opinion  to  the  con- 
trary, judging  human  nature  on  the  usual  scale, 
would  be  chimerical. 

"  The  honourable  the  Committee  of  Congress, 
who  have  seen  and  heard  for  themselves,  will  add 
their  testimony  to  mine  ;  and  the  wisdom  and  jus- 
tice of  Congress  cannot  fail  to  give  it  the  most  serious 
attention.  To  me  it  will  appear  miraculous,  if  our 
affairs  can  maintain  themselves  much  longer  in  their 
present  train.  If  either  the  temper  or  resources  of 
the  country  will  not  admit  of  an  alteration,  we  may 
expect  soon  to  be  reduced  to  the  humiliating  con* 
dition  of  seeing  the  cause  of  America,  in  America, 
upheld  by  foreign  arms.  The  generosity  of  our  al- 
lies has  a  claim  to  all  our  confidence,  and  all  our 
gratitude  ;  but  it  is  neither  for  the  honour  of  Ameri? 
ca,  nor  for  the  interest  of  the  common  cause,  to  leave 
the  work  entirely  to  them." 

After  assigning  his  reasons  for  the  opinion  that 
Great  Britain  v\  ould  continue  the  war,  he  proceeds, 

"  The  inference  from  these  reflections  is,  that 
we  cannot  count  upon  a  speedy  end  to  the  war ;  and 
that  it  is  the  true  policy  of  America  not  to  content 
herself  with  temporary  expedients,  but  to  endeavour, 
if  possible,  to  give  consistency  and  validity  to  her 
measures.  An  essential  step  to  this  will  be  imme- 
diately to  devise  a  plan  and  put  it  in  execution,  for 


1780.1  I^iFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  ^6$ 

providing  men  in  time  to  replace  those  who  will 
leave  us  at  the  end  of  the  year,  and  for  subsisting  and 
for  making  a  reasonable  allowance  to  the  officers  and 
soldiers. 

"  The  plan  for  this  purpose  ought  to  be  of  gen- 
eral operation,  and  such  as  will  execute  itself.  Ex- 
perience has  shown  that  a  peremptory  draught  v^ill 
be  the  only  effectual  one.  If  a  draught  for  he  war 
or  for  three  years  can  be  effected,  it  ought  to  be 
made  on  every  account ;  a  shorter  period  than  a  year 
is  inadmissible. 

**  To  one  who  has  been  witness  to  the  evils 
brought  upon  us  by  short  inlistments,  the  system 
appears  to  have  b^en  pernicious  beyond  description  ; 
and  a  crowd  of  motives  present  themselves  to  dictate 
a  change.  It  may  easily  be  shown  that  all  the  mis- 
fortunes we  have  met  with  in  the  military  line  are  to 
be  attributed  to  this  cause. 

"  Had  we  formed  a  permanent  army  in  the  be- 
ginning, which,  by  the  continuance  of  the  same  men 
in  service,  had  been  capable  of  discipline,  we  nev- 
er should  have  had  to  retreat  with  a  handful  of  men 
across  the  Delaware,  in  1776,  trembling  for  the  state 
of  America,  which  nothing  but  the  infatuation  of 
the  enemy  could  have  saved  ;  we  should  not  have 
remained  all  the  succeeding  winter  at  their  mercy, 
with  sometimes  scarcely  a  sufficient  body  of  men  to 
moimt  the  ordinary  guards,  liable  at  every  moment 
to  be  dissipated,  if  they  had  only  thought  proper  to 
march  against  us  ;  we  should  not  have  been  under 
the  necessity  of  fighting  at  Brandy  wine,  with  an  un- 
equal number  of  raw  troops,  and  afterwards  of  see- 


264  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1780. 

ing  Philadelphia  foil  a  prey  to  a  victorious  army  ;  we 
should  not  have  been  at  Valley  Forge  with  less  than 
half  the  force  of  the  enemy,  destitute  of  every  thing, 
in  a  situation  neither  to  resist  nor  to  retire  ;  wc 
should  not  have  seen  New  York  left  with  a  handful 
of  men,  yet  an  overmatch  for  the  main  army  of  these 
states,  while  the  principal  part  of  their  force  was  de- 
tached for  the  reduction  of  two  of  them  ;  we  should 
not  have  found  ourselves  this  spring  so  weak,  as  to 
be  insulted  by  five  thousand  men,  unable  to  protect 
our  baggage  and  magazines,  their  security  depend- 
ing on  a  good  countenance,  and  a  want  of  enterprise 
in  the  enemy  ;  we  should  not  have  been  the  greatest 
part  of  the  war  inferiour  to  the  pr.«mj,  indcbLcd  for 
our  safety  to  their  inactivity,  enduring  frequently  the 
mortification  of  seeing  inviting  opportunities  to  ruin 
them,  pass  unimproved  for  want  of  a  force  which  the 
country  was  completely  able  to  afibrd ;  to  see  the 
country  ravaged,  our  towns  burnt,  the  inhabitants 
plundered,  abused,  murdered  with  impunity  from  the 
same  cause. 

*'  There  is  every  reason  to  believe,  the  war 
has  been  protracted  on  this  account.  Our  oppo- 
sition being  less>  made  tlie  successes  of  the  enemy 
greater.  The  fluctuation  of  the  army  kept  alive 
their  hopes  ;  and  at  every  period  of  the  dissolution 
of  a  considerable  part  of  it,  they  have  flattered  them- 
selves with  some  decisive  advantages.  Had  we  kept 
a  permanent  army  on  foot,  the  enemy  could  have  had 
nothing  to  hope  for,  and  woiild,  in  all  probability,  have 
listened  to  terms  long  since.  If  the  army  is  left  in  its 
present  situation,  it  must  continue  an  encouragement 


1780.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  265 

to  the  efforts  of  the  enemy  ;  if  it  is  put  in  a  respectable 
one,  it  must  have  a  contrary  effect,  and  nothing  I  be- 
lieve will  tend  more  to  give  us  peace  the  ensuing  win- 
ter. It  will  be  an  interesting  w  inter.  Many  circum- 
stances will  contribute  to  a  negotiation.  An  army 
on  foot,  not  only  for  another  campaign,  but  for  many 
campaigns,  would  determine  the  enemy  to  pacifick 
measures,  and  enable  us  to  insist  upon  favourable 
terms  in  forcible  language.  An  army  insignificant 
in  numbers,  dissatisfied,  crumbling  to  pieces,  would 
be  the  strongest  temptation  they  could  have  to  try 
the  experiment  a  little  longer.  It  is  an  old  maxim, 
that  the  surest  way  to  make  a  good  peace,  is  to  be 
prepared  for  war." 

Congress  having  at  length  resolved  to  new  mod- 
el the  army,  determined  upon  the  number  of  reg- 
iments of  infantry  and  cavalry,  which  should  com- 
pose their  military  establishment,  and  apportion- 
ed upon  the  several  states  their  respective  quo- 
tas. The  states  were  required  to  raise  their  men 
for  the  Vv^ar,  and  to  have  them  in  the  field  by  the  first 
of  the  next  January  :  But  provision  ^vas  made,  that 
if  any  stcite  should  fii'id  it  impracticable  to  raise  its 
quota  by  the  first  of  December,  this  state  might  sup- 
ply the  deficiency  by  men  engaged  to  serve  for  a  pe- 
riod not  short  of  one  year. 

This  arrangement  of  Congress  was  submitted  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  and  his  opinion  desired 
upon  it.  He  in  a  respectful  manner  stated  his  ob- 
jections to  the  plan.  The  number  of  men  contem- 
plated was,  he  conceived,  too  small,  and  he  propos- 
ed that  the  number  of  privates  in  each  regiment 


h  L 


265  LIFE    OF    WASKINCTON".  [1780. 

should  be  encreased.  Instead  of  distinct  regiments 
of  cavalry,  he  recommended  legionary  corps,  that 
the  horse  might  always  be  supported  by  the  infantry 
attached  to  them.  He  deplored  the  necessity  of  a  de- 
pendence on  state  agency  to  recruit  and  support  the 
army,  and  lamented  that  Congress  had  made  pro- 
vision for  the  deficiency  of  any  state  to  procure  men 
for  the  war,  to  be  supplied  by  temporary  draughts  ; 
because,  he  conceived  that  the  states  upon  the  ur- 
gent requisition  of  Congress,  would  have  brought 
their  respective  quotas  into  the  field  for  the  war ; 
but  the  provision  for  deficiency  being  made,  their 
exertions  would  be  weak,  and  the  alternative  gener- 
ally embraced.  He  warmly  recommended  honour- 
able provision  for  the  officers. 

The  repeated  remonstrances  of  General  Wash- 
ington, supported  by  the  chastisements  of  experi- 
ence finally  induced  Congress  to  lay  aside  their 
jealousy  of  a  standing  army,  and  to  adopt  a  military 
establishment  for  the  war. 

The  expected  superiority  of  the  French  at  sea 
failing,  the  residue  of  the  campaign  passed  awav 
without  any  remarkable  event.  The  hostile  armies 
merely  watched  each  other's  motions,  until  the  in- 
clemency of  the  season  forced  them  into  winter  quar- 
ters. The  Pennsylvania  line  wintered  at  Morris- 
town  ;  the  Jersey  line  about  Pompton  on  the  con- 
fines of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  ;  and  the  troops 
belonging  to  the  New  England  States  at  West  Point 
and  its  vicinity,  on  both  sides  of  the  North  river. 
The  New  York  line  had  previously  been  stationed 
at  Albany,  to  oppose  any  invasion  that  might  be 
made  from  Canada,  and  here  it  remained  through 
the  winter. 


1781,]  Lin    O?    WASHINGTON.  267 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Arnold  it  appointed  a  Brigadier  in  the  British  Service  and 
invades  Virginia.. ..Plan  to  capture  him. ...Mutiny  in  the 
Americati  Camp. ...Violence  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line. ...Or- 
der  restored....  Weak  State  of  the  Army. ...The  French  Court 
grants  a  Loan  to  the  United  States, ...Exertion  of  the  State* 
to  enable  the  General  to  open  the  Campaign....The  French 
Troops  march  to  the  American  Camp. ...Plan  to  surprise 
the  British  Post  at  King's  Bridge. ...Expedition  to  Virgin^ 
ia.. .. Count  de  Grasse  arrives  in  the  Chesapeak....Yorktown 
besieged. ...British  Redoubts  stormed. ...The  British  make 
a  Sortie. ...Lord  Cornivallis  attempts  to  escape. ...He  capit' 
■ulates  and  surrenders  his  Posts. ...Indecisive  Action  between, 
the  French  and  English  Fleets... .Sir  Henry.,  too  late.,  em- 
harks  his  Troops  for  Yorktonvn..  ..Thanks  of  Congress  to  the 
American  and  French  Commanders.,  and  to  the  Army. ...Gen- 
eral St.  Clair  dispatched  to  Carolina. ...The  other  Corps  of 
the  Army  return  to  the  Neighbourhood  *fJVenu  Yorky  and 
^9  into  Winter  Quarters. 


1781.  Arnold,  having  been  appointed  a 
Brigadier  General  in  the  British  army,  was  with  a- 
bout  sixteen  hundred  men  detached  to  invade  Vir- 
ginia. With  his  armed  ships,  he  sailed  up  James* 
river,  and  at  Richmond  and  other  places  destroyed 
publick  and  private  property  to  a  great  amount.  He 
at  length  indicated  a  design  to  establish  a  permanent 
post  at  Portsmouth. 


268  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1781. 

The  French  fleet  since  its  arrival  on  the  Ameri- 
can coast  had  been  blocked  up  in  the  harbour  of 
New  Port,  and  the  land  forces  had  remained  inactive 
in  the  town.  But  about  this  time  the  British  block- 
ading squadron  sufiered  by  a  violent  storm,  and  a 
temporary   superiority  was  given  to  the  French. 

General  Washington  thought  that  a  fair  op- 
portunity presented  to  strike  a  decisive  blow  at  the 
3ntish  detachment  in  Virginia,  and  to  obtain  the 
person  of  Arnold.  In  pursuance  of  this  scheme, 
the  General  detached  the  Marquis  La  Fayette  to 
Virginia  with  twelve  hundred  of  the  American  in- 
fantry :  At  the  same  time  he  requested  the  cooper- 
ation of  the  French  from  Rhode  Island.  The  com- 
manding officers  gladly  embraced  the  opportunity  to 
engage  in  active  services,  that  might  prove  advan- 
tageous to  their  American  allies. 

On  the  death  of  Admiral  de  Turney,  at  New 
Port,  the  command  of  the  fleet  devolved  on  D'Est- 
anches.     In  compliance  with  the  request  of  General 
Washington,  he   sailed  with  his   whole   squad- 
ron for  the   Chesapeak,   having    eleven 
ARCH    .    j^m^^jj.g(j  i^j^jj  troops  on   board.      The 

British  Admiral  Arbuthnot  having  repaired  the  dam- 
ages,  sustained  by  the  storm,  immediately  followed 
the  French,  and  on  the  25th  an  action  took  place 
between  the  two  hostile  fleets.  The  battle  ended 
without  loss  to  either  fleet,  but  the  fruits  of  victory 
were  on  the  side  of  the  English.  The  joint  expe- 
dition was  frustrated,  the  French  returned  to  New 
Port,  and  Arnold  was  rescued  from  the  fate  which 
he  merited. 


1781.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  26^ 

The  winter  of  1781  in  a  degree  renewed  the  pri- 
rations  and  sufferings  of  the  American  army.  The 
men  were  badly  clothed  and  scantily  fed  ;  and  they 
had  served  almost  a  year  without  pay.  Without 
murmuring  they  long  endured  their  accumulated 
distresses.  But  the  fortitude  of  the  firmest  men 
may  be  worn  down.  Disheartened  by  their  suffer- 
ings, despairing  of  relief,  and  dissatisfied,  that  their 
country  did  not  make  more  effectual  exertions  for 
their  suppr^rt,  the  spirit  of  mutiny  broke  out  with 
alarming  appearances. 

The  Pennsylvania  line  stationed  at  Morristown, 
with  the  exception  of  three  regiments,  revolted.  On 
a  concerted  signal,  the  non  commissioned  officers 
and  privates  turned  out  with  their  arms,  and  announc-. 
ed  the  design  of  marching  to  the  seat  of  Congress, 
there  to  demand  a  redress  of  their  intolerable  griev- 
ances. The  mutiny  defied  opposition.  In  the  at- 
tempt to  quell  it,  one  officer  was  killed,  and  several 
dangerously  wounded.  General  Wayne,  in  a  threat- 
ening attitude,  drew  his  pistol,  the  mutineers  pre- 
sented their  bayonets  to  his  breast  and  said,  "  Gen- 
ral,  we  love  and  respect  you,  but  if  you  fire,  you  are 
a  dead  man.  We  are  not  going  to  the  enemy,  on 
the  contrary  if  they  were  now  to  come  out,  you 
should  see  us  fight  under  your  orders  with  as  much 
alacrity  as  ever  ;  but  we  will  no  longer  be  amused, 
we  are  determined  on  obtaining  Mhat  is  our  just 
due."  Thirteen  hundred  of  them,  under  oflicers  of 
their  own  election,  marched  in  order  for  Princeton 
with  their  arms  and  six  field  pieces.  They  commit- 
ted no  other  act  of  violence,  than  to  demand  of  the 
inhabitants  provisions  for  their  necessary  support. 


270  LIF£  OF  WASHINGTON.       [1781. 

Congress  sent  a  Committee  of  their  own  body  to 
ccsifer  with  them.  They  demanded  the  redress  of 
their  grievances  as  the  basis  of  accommodation.  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  sent  out  agents  to  invite  them  to  his 
standard,  promising  them  more  advantageous  terms 
than  those  demanded  of  Congress.  They  with  in- 
dignation rejected  his  proposals,  and  delivered  over 
his  emissaries  to  General  Wayne,  who  hanged  them 
as  spies.  President  Reed  offered  the  mutineers  a 
purse  of  an  hundred  guineas  as  a  reward  for  the  sur- 
render of  the  British  emissaries.  This  they  refus- 
ed, declaring  that  '*  what  they  had  done  was  only 
a  duty  they  owed  their  country,  and  they  neither  de- 
sired, ncM"  would  receive  any  reward  but  the  appro- 
bation of  that  country,  for  which  they  had  so  often 
fought  and  bled." 

The  Council  of  Pennsylvania  appointed  Mr, 
Reed,  their  President,  and  General  Potter,  a  Com- 
mittee to  compfbmise  with  the  soldiery,  to  whom 
the  gentlemen  from  Congress  transferred  their  pow- 
ers. The  Committee  felt  themselves  compelled  to 
yield  more  to  the  demands  of  these  soldiers  in  a  state 
of  mutiny,  than  would  have  retained  them  quietly  in 
their  ranks,  had  the  government  of  Pennsylvania 
seasonably  attended  to  their  pressing  wants.  Most 
of  the  artillerists,  and  many  of  the  infantry  were  dis- 
charged, because  their  time  of  service  was  vaguely 
expressed  in  the  orders  under  which  they  had  inlist- 
ed.  The  residue  received  furloughs  for  forty  days ; 
and  the  whole  line  was,  for  this  period,  absolutely 
dissolved. 


1781.]  t-IFE    Oy    WASHINGTON.  271 

The  evil  did  not  rest  with  the  troops  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Some  of  the  Jersey  brigade  at  Pomptoa 
caught  their  complaining  spirit,  and  imitated  their 
mutinous  example.  The  mutineers  were  most- 
ly foreigners,  and  they  made  the  same  claims  upon 
the  country,  which  had  been  granted  to  the  Pejinsyl- 
vania  line. 

The  former  instance  of  mutiny  had  taken  place 
at  a  distance  from  head  quarters,  and  General 
Washington,  upon  serious  dehberation,  had  re- 
solved, not  to  hazard  his  authority  as  Commander 
in  Chief,  in  the  attempt  to  bring  the  revolters  to  order 
by  the  influence  of  his  personal  character ;  but  to 
leave  the  delicate  transaction  with  the  civil  govern- 
ment of  the  state  ;  and  he  was  satisfied  with  th^ 
issue.  But  he  perceived  the  importance  of  arresting; 
the  progress  of  a  spirit,  which  threatened  the  disso- 
lution of  his  army.  Relying  on  die  firmness  and 
patriotism  of  the  New  England  battalions,  which 
were  composed  almost  exclusively  of  native  Ameri- 
cans, he  determined  to  reduce  the  Jersey  revolters  ta 
unconditional  subjection.  General  Howe  was  de- 
tached on  this  service,  v/hich  he  promptly  perform- 
ed. Two  or  three  of  the  ring  leaders  were  execut- 
ed on  the  spot,  and  complete  subordination  was  re- 
stored in  the  brigade. 

The  mutiny  was  suppressed,  but  causes  of  unea- 
siness remained,  and  these  were  not  confined  to  the 
army.  The  money  received  into  the  national  treas- 
ury from  taxes  imposed  by  state  authorities,  bore 
no  proportion  to  the  publick  expense.  The  maga- 
zines were  exhausted,  and  the  states  were  so  dcfi- 


272  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1781. 

cient  in  furnishing  provisions  for  the  army,  that  sup- 
pHes  of  every  description  M^ere  of  necessity  obtained 
by  impressment.  Publick  credit  being  gone,  the 
certificates  of  property  in  this  manner  taken,  were 
considered  of  little  value,  and  general  uneasiness 
and  murmuring  ensued.  These  evils  threatened 
the  destruction  of  the  army,  and  the  loss  of  the  A- 
merican  cause,  unless  a  vital  remedy  was  speedily 
applied  to  the  publick  disease. 

The  Court  of  London  became  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  the  interiour  situation  of  the  United 
States,  and  in  consequence  entertained  sanguine  ex- 
pectations of  a  complete  conquest  of  the  States  south 
of  the  Hudson.  The  letters  of  Lord  George  Ger- 
maine,  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  which  were  written  at 
this  period,  urged  him  in  the  strongest  language,  to 
embrace  the  favourable  opportunity  to  disperse  the 
remnant  of  General  Washington's  army,  and  to 
push  his  conquest  of  the  revolted  colonies. 

The  spring  of  1781  opened  a  gloomy  prospect  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief.  Congress  had  made  a  re- 
quisition upon  the  several  states  for  an  army  consist, 
ing  of  thirty  seven  thousand  men.  In  May,  the 
states,  from  NewJersey  to  New  Hampshire  inclusive, 
had  not  in  the  field  more  than  seven  thousand  in- 
fantry. The  men  were  generally  new  recruits,  and 
time  had  not  been  given  to  discipline  them.  The 
cavalry  and  artillery,  at  no  period  during  the  cam- 
paign, amounted  to  one  thousand  men.  Supplies  of 
provisions  were  greatly  deficient,  and  the  soldiers 
were  almost  naked,  the  clothing  for  the  army,  ex- 
pected from  Europe,  not  having  arrived.      The 


1781.]  tIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  273 

Quarter  Master's  department  had  neither  funds  nor 
credit,  and  the  transportation  of  stores  could  be  made 
only  by  impressments,  aided  by  a  military  force. 
Measures  of  this  violent  nature  excited  great  unea- 
siness among  the  inhabitants  ;  and  General  Wa  sh- 
INGTON  expected  that  actual  resistance  would  be 
made  to  them.  These  difficulties  had  been  foreseen 
by  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and  he  had  made  every 
possible  exertion  to  obviate  them.  He  had  repeat- 
edly made  known  the  urgent  wants  of  the  army  to 
Congress  and  to  the  states,  and  had  sent  officers  of 
the  greatest  influence  into  the  respective  govern- 
ments to  enforce  his  statements. 

The  mind  of  General  Washington  sunk  not 
iinder  his  embarrassments.  He  had  fully  reflected 
iipon  the  dangers  incident  to  his  situation,  and  his 
resolution  rose  to  meet  them.  While  pondering 
upon  his  desperate  prospects,  he  received  the 
grateful  intelligence,  that  the  government  of  France 
had  loaned  the  United  States  six  millions  of  livres, 
a  part  of  which  sum  was  advanced  in  af ms  and  cloth- 
ing for  the  army  ;  and  a  part  paid  to  the  draughts  of 
General  Washington.  Information  was  also  giv- 
en, that  this  government  had  resolved  to  employ  a 
respectable  fleet  in  the  American  seas  the  next  sum- 
mer. 

The  plan  of  vigorous  o]:)erations  was  resumed, 
and  it  was  determined  by  General  Washington 
and  the  French  commanders,  that  New  York  should 
be  the  first  object  of  their  attack.  On  this  occasioix 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  addressed  letters  to  theEx- 
•cutives  of  the  New  England  states,  and  of   New 


274  LIFE    or     WASHINGTON.  [1781. 

Jersey,  earnestly  calling  upon  them  to  fill  up  their 
battalions,  and  to  furnish  their  quotas  of  provision. 

The  near  prospect  of  terminating  the  war  ani- 
mated these  States  to  unusual  exertions.  The  num- 
ber of  men  indeed  fell  short  of  the  requisition  of 
Congress  ;  but  effectual  measures  were  adopted  to 
supply  the  army  with  provisions.  Under  the  sys- 
tem of  state  requisition,  meat,  spirit  and  salt  were 
drawn  from  New  England.  A  convention  of  dele- 
gates from  these  states  met  at  Providence  and  adopt- 
ed a  system  of  monthly  supplies,  through  the  cam- 
paign. As  soon  as  this  plan  could  be  carried  into 
operation,  the  supplies  of  those  articles  were  regular 
and  competent. 

Requisitions  of  flour  were  made  from  New  York, 
New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania.  New  York  and 
New  Jersey,  having  been  much  exhausted  by  the 
depredations  of  the  enemy,  and  by  the  necessary  im- 
pressments of  the  American  army,  the  chief  depend- 
ence for  this  essential  article  was  placed  on  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  Legislature  of  the  state,  was  not  vigor- 
ous in  its  measures,  and  a  scarcity  of  flour  was 
apprehended. 

At  this  period,  Mr.  Robert  Morris  of  Philadel- 
phia, a  member  of  Congress  from  that  state,  a  mer- 
chant of  much  intelligence  and  enterprise,  was  en- 
trusted with  the  management  of  the  finances  of  the 
United  States.  To  him  the  Legislature  of  Penn- 
sylvania transferred  the  taxes  appropriated  to  furnish 
the  requisitions  of  Congress  upon  that  state  ;  and 
he  in  consequence  contracted  to  supply  the  national 
requisition.      By  his  personal  agency  and  credit,  he 


1781.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  275 

established  temporary  funds,  amply  supplied  the  ar- 
my with  flour,  and  furnished  the  Quarter  Master 
General  with  the  means  effectually  to  execute  the 
duties  of  his  department.  Through  the  campaign 
the  movements  of  the  army  were  made  with  facility 
and  expedition. 

In  June,  the  French  troops  marched  from  New- 
port to  the  Head  Quarters  of  the  American  army. 
As  they  approached  the  North  river,General  Was^- 
INGTON  laid  a  plan  to  surprise  the  British  works  at 
King's  bridge.  On  the  night  of  the  2d  of  July,  the 
plan  was  to  be  carried  into  execution.  At  this  time 
it  was  expected  Count  Rochambeau  would  reach 
the  scene  of  action,  to  assist  in  maintaining  the 
ground,  which  the  American  troops  might  gain. 
To  secure  his  cooperation,  the  Commander  in  Chief 
sent  an  Aid  to  the  Count  requesting  him  to  direct 
his  route  to  King's  bridge,  and  to  regulate  his  march 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  at  that  place  by  the  specifi- 
ed time. 

To  mask  the  design,  and  to  give  a  reason  for  the 
movement  of  the  American  army,  which  might  not 
excite  the  suspicion  of  the  British  Commander, 
General  Washington,  in  orders  on  the  3()th  June 
mentioned  that  a  junction  with  the  French  troops 
might  soon  be  expected.  He,  in  subsequent  or- 
ders, gave  information  "  that  the  Frencli  army  would 
not  come  to  that  ground,  and  as  the  General  was 
<lesirous  of  shewing  all  the  respect  in  his  power  to 
those  generous  allies,  who  were  hastening  with  the 
zeal  of  friends,  and  the  ardour  of  soldiers,  to  share 
the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  the  campaign,  he  propose 


276  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1781, 

cd  to  recefve  them  at  some  other,  more  convenient 
place ;  and  for  this  purpose  would  march  the  whole 
line  of  the  American  army  at  three  in  the  morning.'* 

General  Lincoln  was  appointed  to  command  the 
detachment,  which  was  to  assail  the  works  at  King's 
bridge,  and  on  the  night  of  the  1st  of  July,  he  em- 
barked in  boats  at  Teller's  point,  and  with  mufRed 
oars  passed  down  the  North  river,  undiscovered,  to 
Dobb's  ferry.  At  this  place  his  boats  and  his  men 
were  concealed.  He  reconnoitred  the  works  to  be 
attacked,  and  found,  that  a  British  detachment  which 
had  been  some  time  in  New  Jersey,  had  returned, 
and  was  encamped  in  force  on  the  north  end  of  York 
Island,  and  that  an  armed  ship  was  in  such  a  manner, 
stationed  in  the  river,  as  to  render  it  impossible  for 
the  American  boats,  without  discovery,  to  approach 
the  landing  place.  The  attempt  upon  the  enemy 
was  of  course  relinquished. 

General  Washington  extended  his  orders  to 
an  enterprise,  to  be  carried  into  effect,  should  the  at- 
tempt on  King's  Bridge  fail.  This  was  to  bear  off 
a  corps  of  emigrants  which,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Delancy,  was  posted  above  the  British. 
The  execution  of  this  plan  was  left  principally  with- 
the  French,  and  General  Lincoln  was  directed  to 
take  a  position  that  would  prevent  the  retreat  of  De- 
lancy, and  protect  the  flanks  of  the  French  from  the 
British  reinforcements  from  the  Island.  But  the 
French  troops  did  not  in  season  reach  the  scene  of 
action,  and  this  scheme  also  failed.  At  day  light  a 
sharp  skirmish  took  place  between  General  Lincoln 
fin(J  a  party  of  British  light  troops.     These  retreated 


J.781.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  277 

to  York  Island  as  General  Washington  approach- 
ed, who  had  moved  the  army  to  support  his  detach* 
ments,  and  to  follow  up  any  advantage  they  might 
gain.  On  the  sixth  of  Jul}-,  Count  Rochambeau 
joined  the  American  army  at  Dobb's  ferry. 

Early  in  August  Count  de  Barrass,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded to  the  command  of  the  French  fleet  at  Rhode 
Island,  informed  General  Washington,  tliat  the 
Count  de  Grasse  was  to  have  sailed  from  the  West 
Indies  the  3d  of  that  month  for  the  Chesapeak,  with 
twentyfive  ships  of  the  line,  and  three  thousand  land 
troops. 

It  became  necessary  to  determine  absolutely  on 
the  plan  of  operation.  The  battalions  in  the  army, 
under  the  immediate  command  of  General  Wash- 
ington were  not  full,  it  was  known  that  the  garri- 
son at  New  York  had  received  a  very  considerable 
reinforcement ;  and  the  French  marine  officers  ap- 
peared not  ardent  in  the  plan  to  attack  the  harbour 
of  this  city. 

For  these  considerations  General  W a  s  h  i  n  g  t  o  n 
determined  to  relinquish  the  attempt  on  New  York, 
and  to  march  to  Virginia  to  lay  seige  to  the  post  of 
Lord  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown.  Having  resolved  on 
this  plan,  he  in  a  private  manner  adopted  measures 
for  its  execution. 

The  defence  of  West  Point  and  of  the  other  posts 
on  the  Hudson  was  committed  to  General  Heath, 
and  a  large  portion  of  the  troops  raised  in  the  North- 
em  States  were  for  this  service  left  under  his  com- 
mand. General  Washington  resolved  in  person 
to  conduct  the  Virginia  expedition.     The   troops 


278  X-IF«    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1781. 

under  Count  Rochambeau,  and  strong  detachments 
from  the  American  army,  amounting  to  more  than 
two  thousand  men,  and  consisting  of  the  light  infan- 
try, Lamb's  artillery  and  several  other  corps  were 
destined  for  this  expedition.  By  the  25th  of  Au- 
gust the  whole  body,  American  and  French,  had 
crossed  the  North  river. 

An  intercepted  letter  of  General  Washing- 
ton's, in  which  he  communicated,  as  the  result  of 
a  consultation  with  the  French  commanders,  the  de- 
sign to  attack  New  York,  had  excited  the  apprehen- 
sions of  the  British  General  for  the  safety  of  that 
city.  This  apprehension  was  kept  alive,  and  the 
real  object  of  the  Americans  concealed,  by  prepara- 
tions for  an  encampment  in  New  Jersey  opposite  to 
Staten  Island,  by  the  route  of  the  American  army, 
and  other  appearances  indicating  an  intention  to  be- 
siege New  York  ;  and  the  troops  had  passed  the  Del- 
aware out  of  reach  of  annoyance,  before  Sir  Henry- 
suspected  their  destination. 

General   Washington  pressed  forward  with 

the  utmost  expedition,  and  at  Chester  he   received 

the   important  intelligence,  that  Count  de 

Sept.    .    Q^^gg^   j-j^jj   arrived   with  his  fleet  in  the 

Chesapeak,  and  that  the  Marquis  St.  Simon  had 
"with  a  body  of  three  thousand  land  forces,  joined 
the  Marquis  La  Fayette.  Having  directed  the 
route  of  his  army  from  the  head  of  Elk,  he,  accom- 
panied by  Rochambeau,  Chatelleux,  Du  Portail  and 
Knox,  proceeded  to  Virginia.  They  reached  Wil- 
liamsburg the  14th  of  September,  and  immediately 
repaired  on  board  the  Ville  de  Paris,  to  settle  with 
Count  de  Grasse  the  plan  of  operation. 


1781.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  279 

The  Count  afterwards  wrote  General 
^^^*  '  Washington,  that,  judging  his  confined 
situation  to  be  unfavourable  for  a  naval  engagement, 
he  should  sail  to  meet  the  English  at  sea  or  to  block 
them  up  in  the  harbour  of  New  York.  General 
Washington  apprehending  that  the  successful  is- 
sue of  the  expedition,  which  he  had  conceived  mor- 
ally certain,  might  by  this  measure  be  defeated, 
sent  a  despatch  by  the  Marquis  La  Fayette  to  the 
Count,  to  dissuade  him  from  it.  The  Count  con- 
sented to  conform  himself  to  the  wishes  of  the  A- 
merican  General,  and  remained  at  anchor  in  the 
bay  of  the  Chesapeak. 

The  whole  body  of  American  and  French  troops 
reached  Williamsburg  by  the  25th  of  September. 
At  this  place,  the  allied  forces  were  joined  by  a  de- 
tachment of  the  militia  of  Virginia,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Governour  Nelson.  Preparations  wcresoo^ 
made  to  besiege  Yorktown. 

The  rivers,  York  and  James,  form  a  long  and  nar- 
row peninsula,  and  Lord  Cornwallis  had  chosen  a  po- 
sition on  the  south  side  of  York  river  as  a  military 
post,  and  had  strongly  fortified  it.  Opposite  to  York- 
town  on  the  north  shore  is  Gloucester  Point,  which 
projects  into  the  river,  and  at  this  place  reduces  its 
width  to  one  mile.  This  point  his  Lordship  also 
possessed,  and  fortified.  Between  these  posts  the 
river  is  deep,  and  ships  of  the  line  may  here  ride  in 
safety.  The  communication  between  Y'^orktowa 
and  Gloucester  Point  was  defended  by  batteries  on 
shore,  and  by  several  armed  ships  in  the  river.  The 
body  of  the  British  army  was  encamped  about  Yorkr 


280  LIFE    OF     WASHINGtO:^.  [l78lo 

town,  within  a  range  of  redoubts  and  field  works, 
erected  to  command  the  peninsula,  which  at  this 
place  is  not  more  than  eight  miles  wide,  and  to  im- 
pede the  approach  of  an  assaulting  enemy.  Colonel 
Tarleton  with  six  or  seven  hundred  men  defended 
Gloucester. 

On  the  28th,  the  main  body  of  the  allied  army 
moved  down  towards  York  town,  driving  before  them 
troops  of  horse,  and  the  pickets  of  the  enemy.  The 
columns,  as  they  reached  the  ground  assigned  them, 
encamped  for  the  night  and  lay  upon  their  arms. 
The  next  day  was  employed  in  reconnoitring  the 
enemy's  position,  in  which  service  Colonel  Scammel, 
an  officer  of  merit,  was  mortally  wounded,  and  ta- 
ken prisoner.  A  force  consisting  of  about  two 
thousand  French  and  Americans,  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  French  General  de  Choise,  was  station-- 
ed  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  to  watch  and  res- 
train the  enemy  in  Gloucester. 

The  French  and  Americans  were  employed  un- 
til the  6th  of  October,  in  conveying  their  artillery 
and  stores  from  the  landing  place  to  camp.  On  the 
night  of  that  day,  they  broke  ground  within  six  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  British  lines ;  and  the  first  parallel 
was  completed  with  little  loss.  On  the  9th  and 
10th,  guns  were  mounted  on  the  works,  and  the  bat- 
teries began  to  play,  with  visible  effect,  on  the  hnes 
of  the  enemy.  Many  of  their  guns  were  soon  silenc- 
ed, and  their  works  damaged.  By  the  11th,  the  en- 
emy scarcely  returned  a  shot.  The  shells,  and  red 
hot  balls  of  the  besiegers  reached  the  British  ship- 
ping in  the  river,  and  set  the  Charon  frigate  of  forty 


1781.1  I-IFE    ^^     WASHINGTON.  281 

four  guns,  and  several  large  transports  on  fire,  which 
were  entirely  consumed.  A  spirit  of  emulation  an- 
imated the  troops  of  both  nations,  and  the  siege  was 
prosecuted  with  vigour  and  effect.  On  the  night  of 
the  11th,  the  second  parallel  was  begun  within  three 
hundred  yards  of  the  British  lines.  The  working 
parties  \vere  not  discovered  until  daylight,  when  the 
trenches  w  ere  in  a  situation  to  cover  the  men.  Three 
days  were  spent  in  completing  the  batteries  of  this 
parallel,  which  time  the  British  indefatigably  em- 
ployed upon  their  lines.  They  opened  new  embra- 
sures, and  their  fire  was  more  destructive  than  at 
any  previous  period  of  the  siege.  Two  redoubts  in 
particular,  advanced  in  front  of  the  British  lines,  and 
which  flanked  the  second  parallel  of  the  Americans, 
gave  great  annoyance  ;  and  it  was  deemed  necessary 
to  carry  them  by  storm. 

To  prevent  national  jealousy,  and  to  keep  alive 
the  spirit  of  emuhation,  the  attack  of  one  was  assign- 
ed to  the  American  troops,  and  that  of  the  other  to 
the  French.  The  Marquis  La  Fayette  command- 
ed the  American  detachment  consisting  of  light  in- 
fantry, which  was  designed  to  act  against  the  re- 
doubt near  the  river,  and  the  Baron  de  Viominel, 
with  the  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of  his  nation,  was 
ordered  to  storm  the  redoubt  nearer  to  the  British 
right.  Colonel  Hamilton,  ^vho  through  this  cam- 
paign commanded  a  battalion  of  light  infantry,  led 
die  advanced  corps  of  the  Americans  to  the  assault, 
wiiile  Colonel  Laurens  turned  the  redoubt  and  at- 
tacked in  the  rear,  to  prevent  the  retreat  of  the  gar- 
rison.     Without  giving  time  for  the   abattis  to  be 

N  N 


282  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  [1781. 

removed, 'and  without  firing  a  gun,  the  Americans 
gallantly  assaulted,  and  instantly  carritd  the  works. 
Their  loss  was  one  sergeant  and  eight  privates  kil- 
led ;  and  six  officers,  and  twenty  six  rank  and  file 
wounded.  The  garrison  was  commanded  by  a  Ma- 
jor, and  consisted  of  about  fifty  men.  Of  these, 
eight  privates  were  killed,  a  few  individuals  escap- 
ed, and  the  residue  were  made  prisoners.* 

The  redoubt  attacked  by  the  French  was  gar- 
risoned by  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  it  made 
more  resistance  and  was  overcome  at  the  loss  of  near 
one  hundred  men.  Of  the  garrison  eighteen  were 
killed,  and  three  officers  and  about  forty  privates 
M^ere  made  prisoners. 

The  Commander  in  Chief  was  highly  pleased 
with  the  gallantry  of  the  attacking  troops  on  this  oc- 
casion. In  general  orders  he  congratulated  the  ar- 
my on  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  and  thanked  the 
troops  for  their  cool  and  intrepid  conduct.  "  The 
General  reflects,"  conclude  the  orders,  "  with  the 
highest  degree  of  pleasure,  on  the  confidence  which 

*  This  event  took  place  soon  after  the  wanton  slaughter  of  the  men  in 
Fort  Griswold  in  Connecticut  by  the  British.  «'  The  irritation  of  this  re- 
cent carnage  had  not  so  far  subdued  the  humanity  of  the  American  character 
as  to  induce  retaliation.  Not  a  man  was  killed  except  in  actian.  ♦  Incapa- 
ble,' said  Colonel  Hainirlion  in  his  report,  'of  imitating  examples  of  bar- 
barity, and  forgetting  recent  provocation,  the  soldiery  spared  every  man  that 
ceased  to  resist.'  Mr.  Gordon,  in  his  History  ot  the  American  War,  states, 
the  orders  given  by  La  Fayette,  with  the  approbation  of  Washington,  to 
bave  directed,  that  every  man  in  the  redoubt,  after  its  surrender,  should  be 
put  to  the  sword.  These  sanguinary  orders,  so  repugnant  to  the  character 
of  the  Commander  in  Chiel,  and  of  La  Fayette,  were  never  given.  There  is 
no  trace  of  thena  among  the  papers  of  General  Waihinoton  ;  and  Colonel 
Hamilton,  who  took  a  part  in  the  enterprise, which  assures  his  perfect  knowl- 
•dge  of  every  material  occurrence,  has  puhlickly  contradicted  the  statement." 

Judge  Marshall. 


1781.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  283 

the  troops  of  the  two  nations  must  hereafter  have  in 
each  other.  Assured  of  mutual  support,  he  is  con- 
vinced there  is  no  danger,  which  they  \^  ill  not  cheer- 
fully encounter,  no  difficulty  ^\hich  they  will  net 
bravely  overcome."  The  redoubts  were  the  same 
night  included  within  the  second  parallel. 

Lord  Cornwallis  well  knew  that  the  fire  of  the 
second  parallel  would  soon  render  his  works  unten- 
able, and  he  determined  to  attempt  to  destroy  it. 
The  sortie  appointed  for  this  service  consisted  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  was  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Abercrombie.  With  great  im- 
petuosity, he  attacked  two  batteries  that  were  in  the 

srreatest    forwardness   and   carried   them  ; 
Oct    15 

'  but  the  guards  from  the  trenches  advanc- 
ing, he  was  compelled  to  retreat  without  having  ef- 
fected his  purpose.  A  few  pieces  of  cannon  were 
hastily  spiked  ;  but  they  were  soon  again  rendered 
fit  for  use.  The  service  was  honourable  for  the  of- 
ficers and  men  engaged,  but  the  siege  was  not  pro- 
tracted. 

By  the  afternoon  of  the  16th  the  British  works 
sunk  under  the  fire  of  the  batteries  of  the  second 
parallel  ;  in  the  whole  front  attacked,  they  could  not 
show  a  single  gun,  and  their  shells  were  nearly  ex- 
pended. In  this  extremity  his  Lordship  adopted 
the  desperate  resolution  to  attempt  an  escape.  Leav- 
ing the  sick  and  wounded  in  his  posts,  he  determin- 
ed  with  his  efficient  force  to  cross  over  to  Glouces- 
ter,  disperse  the  troops  under  De  Choisc,  mount 
his  troops  upon  horses  that  might  be  found  in  the 
country,  direct  his  course  to  the  fords  of  the  Great 


484  LIFE    OF    V/ASHINGTOM.  [1781» 

rivers,  and  make  his  way  to  New  York.  For  this 
purpose  boats  were  collected,  and  other  necessary 
measures  taken.  On  the  night  of  the  16th  the  first 
embarkation  arrived  in  safety  at  Gloucester,  but  at 
the  moment  the  boats  were  returning,  a  violent 
storm  arose,  which  forced  them  down  the  river. 
At  day  light  the  storm  subsided,  and  the  boats  were 
sent  to  bring  back  the  soldiers  to  Yorktown,  which 
with  little  loss,  was  accomplished  in  the  course  of 
the  forenoon. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  the  fire  of  the 
American  batteries  became  intolerable,  which 
soon,  by  its  reiterated  effects,  rendered  the  Brit- 
ish post  untenable.  Lord  Cornwallis,  perceiv- 
ing further  resistance  to  be  unavailing,  about  ten 
o'clock  beat  a  parley,  and  proposed  a  cessation  of 
hostilities  for  twenty  foiir  hours,  that  Commission- 
ers might  meet  to  settle  the  terms  on  which  the 
posts  of  York  and  Gloucester  should  be  surren- 
dered. General  Washington,  in  his  answer, 
declared  his  "  ardent  desire  to  spare  the  effusion 
of  blood,  and  his  readiness  to  listen  to  such  terms 
as  were  admissible  ;"  but  to  prevent  loss  of  time, 
he  desired  "that,  previous  to  the  meeting  of  the 
Commissioners,  the  proposals  of  his  Lordship  might 
be  transmitted  in  \mting,  for  which  purpose  a 
suspension  of  hostilities  for  two  hours  should  be 
granted."  The  terms  proposed  by  his  Lordship, 
were  such  as  led  the  General  to  suppose  that  articles 
of  capitulation  might  easily  be  adjusted,  and  he 
continued  the  cessation  of  hostilities  until  the  next 
day.     To  expedite  the  business,  he  summarily  stat- 


1781.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  285 

cd  the  terms  he  was  willing  to  grant,  and  informed 
Earl  Cornwallis,  that  if  he  admitted  these  as  the  ba- 
sis of  a  treaty,  Commissioners  might  meet  to  put 
them  into  form.  Accordingly  Viscount  de  Noailles, 
and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Laurens  on  the  part  of  the 
allies,  and  Colonel  Dundas  and  Major  Ross,  on  the 
part  of  the  English,  met  the  next  day  and  adjusted 
articles  of  capitulation,  which  were  to  be  submitted 
to  the  consideration  of  the  British  General.  Re- 
solving not  to  expose  himself  to  any  accident  that 
might  be  tlie  consequence  of  unnecessary  delay, 
General  Wa  sh i n g  to  n  ordered  the  rough  draught  of 
the  Commissioners  to  be  fairly  transcribed,  and  sent 
to  Lord  Cornwallis  early  next  morning,  with  a  letter, 
expressing  his  expectation  that  the  garrison  would 
march  out  by  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Hope- 
less of  more  favourable  terms,  his  Lordship  signed 
the  capitulation,  and  surrendered  the  posts  of  York 
and  Gloucester  with  their  garrisons  to  General 
Washington  ;  and  the  shipping  in  the  harbour, 
with  the  seamen  to  Count  de  Grasse. 

The  prisoners,  exclusive  of  seamen,  amounted  to 
more  than  seven  thousand,  of  which, betueen  four  and 
five  thousand  were  fit  for  duty.  The  garrison  lost  dur- 
ing the  siege,  six  officers  and  five  hundred  and  forty 
eight  privates  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  privates 
with  a  competent  number  of  officers  were  to  remain 
in  Virginia,  Maryland  or  Pennsylvania.  The  offi- 
cers not  required  for  this  service,  were  permitted 
on  parole  to  return  to  Europe,  or  to  any  of  the  mari- 
time posts  of  the  English  on  the  American  continent. 
Lord  Cornwallis  attempted  to  introduce  into  the 


286  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.        [1781, 

treaty  an  article  in  favour  of  those  Americans  who 
had  joined  his  standard  ;  but  General  Washing- 
ton referred  their  case  to  the  civil  authority.  Per- 
mission however  was  granted  to  his  Lordship  to 
send  the  Bonetta  sloop  of  war,  unsearched,  to  New 
York  to  carry  his  despatches  to  Sir  Henry  Chnton, 
and  in  her  those  Americans  went  passengers,  who 
had,  in  the  highest  degree  incurred  the  resentment 
of  their  countrymen.  The  terms  granted  to  Earl 
Cornwallis  were,  in  general,  the  terms  which  had 
been  granted  to  the  Americans  at  the  surrender  of 
Charleston  ;  and  General  Lincoln,  ^^  ho  on  that  oc- 
casion resigned  his  sword  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  was 
appointed  to  receive  the  submission  of  the  royal 
army. 

The  allied  army,  to  which  Lord  Cornwallis  sur- 
rendered,  amounted  to  sixteen  thousand  ;  seven 
thousand  French,  five  thousand  five  hundred  conti- 
nental troops,  and  three  thousand  five  hundred  mi- 
litia. In  the  course  of  the  siege,  they  lost  in  kil- 
led and  wounded  about  three  hundred.  The  siege 
was  prosecuted  with  so  much  military  judgment  and 
ardour,  that  the  treaty  was  opened  the  11th,  and 
the  capitulation  signed  the  13th  day  after  ground 
was  broken  before  the  British  lines.  The  whole  ar- 
my received  the  unreserved  approbation  of  the  Gen- 
eral. But  the  peculiar  services  of  particular  corps 
entitled  them  to  special  notice.  The  artillerists  and 
the  engineers  greatly  distinguished  themselves. 
Brigadiers  Du  Portal  and  Knox  were  promoted  to 
be  Major  Generals.  Major  Generals  Lincoln  and 
the  Marquis  La  Fayette  were  mentioned  with  higl> 
commendations,  and  Governour  Nelson,  who  com- 


1781.3  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  287 

manded  the  militia  was  thanked  for  his  effectual  ex- 
ertions in  the  field,  and  in  furnishing  the  army  with 
such  articles  as  his  state  afforded.  To  Count  Ro- 
chambeau,  to  the  French  officers  and  troops,  Gen- 
eral Washington  expressed  his  acknowledgments 
in  flattering  language. 

The  British  General  and  Admiral  at  New  York 
had  not  been  inattentive  to  the  perilous  situation  of 
Lord   Cornwallis.     Admiral   Rodney  in  the  West 
Indies  had   early   been   apprized  of  the  intention  of 
Count  de  Grasse  to   visit  the  American  coast ;   but 
not  supposing  that  the  whole  of  the  French  fleet  on 
that   station,   would   be   employed  on  this  service, 
Rodney  detached  Sir  Samuel  Hood  to  the  continent 
with  fourteen   sail   of    line   of  battle  ships.       Sir 
Samuel  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeak  before 
de  Grasse,  and  finding  no  enemy  there,  sailed  along 
the  coast  to  Sandy  Hook.     Admiral   Greaves  then 
lay  in  the  harbour  of  New  York,  with  seven  ships  of 
the  line.     Immediately  after  the  arrival  of  Hood,  in- 
telligence was  received  that  Count  de  Barrass  had 
sailed  from  Newport.     Admiral   Greaves  with  the 
whole  British  squadron   without  loss  of  time  sailed 
in  pursuit  of  him,  and  on  the  24th  of  September  he 
discovered  the  French  fleet  under  de  Grasse  consist- 
ing of  twentyfour  ships  of  the  line,  riding  at  anchor 
in  the  Chesapeak  and  extending  across  its  entrance. 
Count  de   Grasse  ordered  his  ships  to  slip  their  ca- 
bles and  form  the  line  of  battle.     A  partial  engage- 
ment took  place,  in  which  some  of  the  English  ships 
were  considerably  damaged.     The  hostile  fleets  ma- 
noeuvred for  four  or  five  days  in  sight  of  each  other 


2SS  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [l78l. 

and  Count  de  Grasse  then  returned  to  his  anchorage 
ground.  Here  he  found  Count  de  Barrass  who  had 
taken  a  wide  circuit  to  avoid  the  English,  and  had, 
while  the  hostile  fleets  were  at  sea,  entered  the  Ches- 
apeak  with  the  squadron  from  Newport,  consisting 
of  five  ships  and  fourteen  transports,  laden  with  heavy 
artillerj  and  military  stores  for  the  siege.  Admiral 
Greaves  returned  to  New  York  to  repair. 

In  the  course  cf  a  few  days,  the  British  squadron 
was  augmented  to  twentyfive  ships  of  the  line,  and 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  determined  to  encounter  every 
hazard  in  the  attempts  to  relieve  Earl  Cornwall  is. 
He  embarked  seven  thousand  of  his  best  troops,  and 
convoyed  by  the  fleet,  sailed  on  the  very  day  of  the 
capitulation,  for  Virginia.  At  the  entrance  of  the 
Chesapeak,  on  the  24th  of  October,  he  received  in- 
formation of  the  surrender  of  his  Lordship,  and  he 
returned  to  New  York. 

The  capture  of  Lord  Cornwallis  and  his  army 
excited  universal  joy  through  the  United  States. 
In  a  circuitous  route  from  Charleston  to  Yorktown, 
this  army  had  marched  eleven  hundred  miles  and 
had  spread  terrour  and  distress  through  the  whole 
extent.  From  this  dread  the  country  was  delivered. 
The  surrender  of  a  second  royal  army,  the  Ameri- 
cans deemed  an  event  decisive  of  the  independence 
of  the  United  States,  and  which  would  speedily  ter- 
minate the  war. 

The  day  after  the  capitulation  General  Wash- 
ington ordered,  "  that  those  who  were  under  ar- 
rest should  be  pardoned  and  set  at  liberty  ;"  and  an- 
nounced, that  "  Divine  service  shall  be  performed  to- 


1781.]  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  289 

morrow  in  the  different  brigades  and  division^. 
The  Comniander  in  Chief  recommends,  that  all  the 
troops  that  are  not  upon  duty  do  assist  at  it  with  a 
serious  deportment,  and  that  sensibility  of  heart, 
which  the  recollection  of  the  surprising  and  particu- 
lar interposition  of  providence  in  our  favour  claims.'* 
Congress  as  soon  as  they  received  General  Wash- 
ington's official  letter  giving  information  of  the 
event,  resolved  to  go  in  procession  to  the  Dutch 
Lutheran  Church,  and  return  thanks  to  Almighty 
God  for  the  signal  success  of  the  American  arms  ; 
and  they  issued  a  proclamation,  recommending  to 
the  citizens  of  the  United  States  to  observe  the  thir- 
teenth of  December  as  a  day  of  Publick  Thanksgiv- 
ing and  Prayer.  The  news  of  the  capture  of -Earl 
Cornwallis  was  every  where  received  with  exultation 
and  publick  rejoicing. 

Congress  for  this  achievement,  voted  the  thanks 
of  the  United  States  to  General  Washington, 
to  Count  Rochambeau,  to  Count  de  Grasse,  to 
the  officers  of  the  allied  army  generally,  and  to  the 
corps  of  artillery  and  engineers  in  particular.  They 
also  resolved  that  a  marble  column  should  be  erect- 
ed at  Yorktown  in  Virginia,  bearing  emblems  of 
the  alliance  between  the  United  States  and  his 
Most  Christian  Majesty,  and  inscribed  with  a  suc- 
cinct narrative  of  the  sunender  of  the  British  army 
linder  the  command  of  Karl  Cornwallis.  Two 
stands  of  colours  taken  from  the  ro3'al  troops,  were 
presented  to  General  Washington,  two  field  piec- 
es to  Count  Rochambeau ;  and  application  was 
made  to  the  French  Court  that  Cout.t  de  Grasse 
0  o 


290  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.       [1781. 

might  be  permitted  to  accept  a  testimonial  of  the 
approbation  of  Cojigress,  similar  to  that  which  Ro- 
chambeau  had  received. 

To  the  Commander  in  Chief  the  most  affection- 
ate and  respectful  addresses  were  presented  by  the 
governments  of  the  states,  by  the  authorities  of  cit- 
ies and  by  the   corporations  of  literary  institutions. 

The  decided  superiority  of  the  allies  in  naval  and 
land  force,  General  Washington  wished  to  direct 
to  the  conquest  of  the  British  posts  at  Carolina  and 
Georgia.  He  addressed  a  letter  to  Count  de  Grass e 
on  this  subject,  requesting  his  cooperation  in  meas- 
ures directed  to  these  objects.  But  the  Count  de- 
clined, declaring  that  the  service  of  his  King  de- 
manded his  immediate  return  to  the  West  Indies. 

Orders  were  of  course  issued  for  the  disposition 
of  the  allied  armies  for  the  approaching  winter.  Ma- 
jor General  St.  Clair  was  detached  with  two  brigades 
to  South  Carolina  to  reinforce  General  Green.  The 
French  forces  remained  in  Virginia.  The  Eastern 
troops  embarked  early  in  November  for  the  Head  of 
Elk,  under  the  command  of  General  Lincoln,  who 
was  ordered  to  march  them  from  the  place  of  their 
landing  into  New  Jersey  and  New  York,  and  to 
canton  them  for  the  winter  in  those  states.  Count 
de  Grasse  with  his  fleet  sailed  for  the  West  Indies, 
and  General  Washington  proceeded  to  Philadel- 
phia. 


1781.3  IIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  291 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Preparations  for  another  Campaign... .Sir  Guy  Carlton  arrive^ 
at  JVeio  York  and  announces  the  vote   of  Parliament  to  ac 

knowledge  American  Independence ■4rmy  anxious  for  their 

Pay ...../inonymous  Address  exciting  them  toa  Revolt. ...GenC' 
ralWASHlNGTON  convenes  and  addresses  the  Officers. ...Their 
resolutions.,  ..Preliminary  Articles  of  Peace  received... .Cesf 
sation  of  Hostilities  proclaimed. ...General  M''ashing7'on  ad- 
dresses a  Circular  Letter  to  the  Executives  of  the  Several 
States.. ..Army  disbanded.. ..JVew  Levies  of  Pennsylvania  re- 
volt....The  Commander  in  Chief  enters  J\,''enu  York. ...Takes 
leave  of  his  Officers. ...Resigns  his  Commisson  to  the  Presi- 
dent  of  Congress. ...Retires  to  Mount  Fcrnon. 

1781.  The  brilliant  issue  of  the  last  cam- 
paign did  not  relax  the  vigilance  of  General  Wash- 
INGTON.  He  deemed  it  true  policy  to  call  forth  all 
the  resources  of  the  country,  that  the  United  States 
might  be  prepared  for  the  conflicts  of  another  year,  or, 
might  take  a  commt.nding  attitude  in  a  negotiation  for 
peace.  From  Mount  Vernon,  on  his  way  to  the 
seat  of  government,  he  wrote  General  Green,  *' I 
shall  attempt  to  stimulate  Congress  to  the  best  im- 
provement of  our  late  success,  by  taking  the  most 
vigorous  and  ejffectual  measures  to  be  rea^y  for  an 
early  and  decisive  campaign  the  next  year.  My  great- 
est fear  is  that,  viewing  this  stroke  in  a  point  of  light 
which  may  too  much  magnify  its  importance,  they 


292  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1782. 

may  think  our  work  too  nearly  closed,  and  fall  into 
a  state  of  languor  and  relaxation.  To  prevent  this 
errour,  I  shall  employ  every  means  in  my  power, 
and,  if  unhappily  we  sink  into  this  fatal  mistake,  no 
part  of  the  blame  shall  be  mine." 

He  reached  Philadelphia  the  27th  of  November, 
and  on  the  next  day  had  an  audience  of  Congress. 
The  President  informed  him  that  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  arrange  the  military  establishment  of 
the  next  year,  and  that  he  was  requested  to  remain 
in  Philadelphia  to  assist  in  this  important  business. 
At  the  consultations  of  this  committee,  the  Secreta- 
ry of  War,  the  Minister  of  Finance,  and  the  Secreta- 
ry of  Foreign  Affairs  assisted.  The  arrangements 
were  made  with  despatch,  and  on  the  10th  of  De- 
cember, Congress  passed  the  resolves  for  the  requi- 
sitions of  men  and  money  for  the  year  1782  upon 
the  several  states ;  and  the  personal  influence  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief  was  on  this  occasion  used,  to 
persuade  the  state  governments  seasonably  to  com- 
ply with  the  resolutions  of  Congress. 

1782.  The  first  intelligence  from  the  British 
government,  after  the  surrender  of  Earl  Cornwallis, 
indicated  a  design  to  continue  the  American  war  ; 
but  early  in  May,  Sir  Guy  Carlton  arrived  at  New 
York,  to  supercede  Sir  Henry  Clinton  as  Command- 
er in  Chief  of  the  British  army  ;  and  he  and  Ad- 
miral Digby  were  appointed  Commissioners  to 
treat  with  the  United  States  upon  terms  of  peace. 
He  communicated  to  General  Washington  a 
vote  of  the  British  Parliament  against  the  pros- 
ecution of  the  American  war  ;  and  a  bill  author. 


1782.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  293 

azing  the  King  to  conclude  a  peace  or  truce  Avith 
the  re'uolted  pro'vinces  of  North  America.  Sir 
Guy  professed  his  pacific  disposition,  and  pro- 
posed that  hostilities  should  cease,  as  these  would 
produce  individual  distress  without  national  advan- 
tage. This  bill,  when  Sir  Guy  left  England  had 
not  passed  into  a  law,  and  therefore  was  not  a  prop- 
er basis  of  negotiation  ;  and  the  Commander  in 
Chief  continued  his  defensive  preparations. 

In  August  Sir  Guy  officially  informed  General 
Washington,  that  negotiations  for  a  general  peace 
had  commenced  at  Paris ;  ancl  that  his  Britannick 
Majesty  had  directed  his  Minister  to  propose  the 
Independence  of  the  United  States  as  a  preliminary. 

The  deficiency  of  the  states  in  paying  their  re- 
spective requisitions  of  money  into  the  national 
treasury  subjected  the  Minister  of  Finance  to  ex- 
treme difficulty  ;  but  by  anticipating  the  publick 
revenue,  and  by  exerting,  to  the  utmost,  his  person- 
al influence,  he  was  enabled  barely  to  subsist  the 
army.  Neither  Officers  nor  men  received  any  pay. 
In  September  Congress  contemplated  the  reduction 
of  their  military  establishment.  By  this  measure 
many  of  the  officers  would  be  discharged.  In  a  con- 
fidential letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  expressed  a  full  persuasion,  that 
the  gentlemen  would  gladly  retire  to  private  life, 
could  they  be  reinstated  in  a  situation  as  favourable 
as  that  which  they  quitted  for  the  service  of  their 
country  ;  but  added  he, 

"  I  cannot  help  fearing  the  result  of  the  measure, 
when  I  see  such  a  number  of  men  goaded  by  a 


294  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1782. 

thousand  stings  of  reflection  on  the  past,  and  of  anti- 
cipation on  the  future,  about  to  be  turned  into  the 
world,  soured  by  penury,  and  what  they  call  the  in- 
gratitude of  the  publick  ;  involved  in  debts  without 
one  farthing  of  money  to  carry  them  home,  after 
Iiaving  spent  the  flower  of  their  days,  and  many  of 
them,  their  patrimonies  in  establishing  the  freedom 
and  independence  of  their  country ;  and  having  suf- 
fered every  thing  which  human  nature  is  capable  of 
enduring  on  this  side  of  death.  I  repeat  it,  when  I 
reflect  on  these  irritable  circumstances,  unattended 
by  one  thing  to  soothe  their  feelings,  or  brighten  the 
gloomy  prospect,  I  cannot  avoid  apprehending  that 
a  train  of  evils  will  follow  of  a  very  serious  and  dis- 
tressing nature. 

*'  1  wish  not  to  heighten  the  shades  of  the  pic- 
ture so  far  as  the  real  life  would  justify  me  in  doing, 
or  I  would  give  anecdotes  of  patriotism  and  distress 
which  have  scarcely  ever  been  paralleled,  never  sur- 
passed in  the  history  of  mankind.  But  you  may  re- 
ly upon  it,  the  patience  and  long  suffering  of  this 
army  are  almost  exhausted,  and  there  never  was  s(> 
great  a  spirit  of  discontent  as  at  this  instant.  While 
in  the  field,  I  think  it  may  be  kept  from  breaking 
out  into  acts  of  outrage ;  but  when  we  retire  into 
winter  quarters,  (unless  the  storm  be  previously  dis- 
sipated) I  cannot  be  at  ease  respecting  the  conse- 
quences.    It  is  high  time  for  a  peace.'* 

Although  the  military  services  of  the  field  did 
not  require   the    presence   of  the  Commander   in 
Chief,  yet  he  was  induced  on  account  of  the  irritable  - 
state  of  the  army  to  remain  the  whole  season  in  camp. 


1782.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  295 

The  disquietude  of  the  army  arose  more  from 
an  apprehension,  that  their  country  would  ultimately 
fail  in  the  compensation  promised  them,  than  from 
the  deficiency  of  prompt  payment. 

In  October  1780,  Congress  had  passed  a  resolu- 
tion, granting  half  pay  to  the  officers  for  life  ;  but 
they  had  no  funds  to  pledge  for  the  fulfilment  of 
these  engagements.  Publick  opinion  seemed  to  be 
opposed  to  the  measure,  and  the  pointed  opposi- 
tion by  a  number  of  the  members  of  the  National 
Legislature,  rendered  it  doubtful  whether  a  future 
Congress  would  feel  themselves  bound  by  that  re- 
solution. This  doubt  was  strenothened  by  the 
consideration  that,  since  the  passage  of  the  resolu- 
tion, the  articles  of  confederation  had  been  adopted, 
and  by  these  the  concurrence  of  nine  states,  in  Con- 
gress assembled,  is  necessary  to  the  appropriation  of 
publick  money.  Could  absolute  confidence  be  plac- 
ed in  the  honour  and  faith  of  the  National  Council, 
still  they  must  depend  on  state  sovereignties  for  the 
ways  and  means  to  execute  their  promises.  The 
country  had  been  greatly  deficient  to  the  arm}^  in 
the  time  of  war,  when  their  services  were  absolutely 
necessary.  Would  this  country,  amidst  the  securi- 
ty and  tranquillity  of  peace,  be  more  just  ?  As  the 
prospects  of  immediate  peace  brightened,  the  atten- 
tion of  the  officers  became  the  more  er^afi:ed  to  se- 
cure  a  compensation  for  those  services  which  were 
the  means  to  establish  the  independence  of  their 
country.  In  December  they  presented  a  memorial 
to  Congress,  stating  that  many  of  them  had  expend- 
ed their  private   fortunes,  and   most  of  them   the 


-96  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  (]l783<i 

prime  of  life  in  the  service  of  their  country,  and  pe- 
titioning that  a  gross  sum  might  be  granted  theni 
for  the  money  actually  due,  and  as  a  commutation 
for  half  pay.  They  chose  a  committee  of  officers 
to  present  their  petition  to  Congress,  and  to  attend 
its  passage  through  that  honourable  body. 

At  this  period,  Congress  was  much  divided  in 
opinion  upon  the  most  important  publick  questions. 
State  jealousies  and  interests  arose  in  opposition  to 
the  engagements  of  the  Nation  ;  and  although  part  of 
Congress,  respectable  for  number  and  weight  of 
character,  acknowledged  the  merit  of  the  military, 
-„P^  and  were  inchned  to  do  them  justice,  yet  in 
March,  the  committee  at  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment wrote  the  officers  in  camp,  that  no  decisive 
measures  were  taken  upon  their  petition.  At  this 
time,  the  intelligence  arrived  that  the  provisional  ar- 
ticles of  peace  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain  were  signed.  The  army  viewed  the  mo- 
ment as  the  crisis  of  their  destiny.  They  recollect- 
ed their  past  sacrifices,  they  felt  their  present  wants, 
and  anticipated  future  sufferings.  Resenting  the 
ingratitude  of  their  country,  and  apprehending  that 
it  would  ultimately  be  unjust,  an  irritable  state  of 
mind  ensued,  which  threatened  violences  that  would 
tarnish  the  glory  of  their  own  services,  and  commit 
the  peace  of  tlieir  country. 

On  the  10th  of  March,  an  anonymous  paper  was 
circulated,  requesting  a  meeting  at  eleven  o'clock, 
on  the  next  day,  at  the  publick  building,  of  the  gen- 
eral and  field  officers,  of  an  officer  from  each  com- 
pany, and  a  delegate  from  the  medical  staft'  to  "  con- 


1783.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  297 

sider  their  late  letter  from  their  representatives  in 
Philadelphia,  and  what  measures  (if  any)  should  be 
adopted  to  obtain  that  redress  of  grievances  which 
they  seemed  to  have  solicited  in  vain." 

On  the  same  day,  the  following  publication,  art- 
fully addressed  to  the  passions  of  the  officers  and 
admirably  calculated  to  stimulate  them  to  adopt  the 
desperate  measure  it  recommended,  was  circulated 
through  the  camp. 

*'  To  the  Officers  of  the  Army, 
*'  Gentlemen, 

"  A  fellow  soldier,  whose  interest  and  affectiona 
bind  him  strongly  to  you,  whose  past  sufferings 
have  been  as  great,  and  whose  future  fortune  may 
be  as  desperate  as  yours.... would  beg  leave  to  ad- 
dress you. 

"  Age  has  its  claims,  and  rank  is  not  without 
its  pretentions  to  advise ;  but  though  unsupported 
by  both,  he  flatters  himself,  that  the  plain  language 
of  sincerity  and  experience  will  neither  be  unheard 
nor  unregarded. 

*'  Like  many  of  you,  he  loved  private  life,  and 
left  it  with  regret.  He  left  it,  determined  to  retire 
from  the  field,  with  the  necessity  that  called  him  ta- 
it,  and  not  until  then. ...not  until  the  enemies  of  his 
country,  the  slaves  of  power,  and  the  hirelings  of  in- 
justice, were  compelled  to  abandon  their  schemes, 
and  acknov\ ledge  America,  as  terrible  inarms,  as  she 
had  been  humble  in  remonstrance.  With  this  ob- 
ject in  view,  he  has  long  sliared  in  your  toils  and 
mingled  in  your  dangers.    He  has  felt  the  cold  hand 

of  poverty  without  a  murmur,  and  has  seen  the  in- 
p  p 


298  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  [1785. 

science  of  wealth  without  a  sigh. ...But,  too  much 
under  the  direction  of  his  wishes,  and  sometimes 
weak  enough  to  mistake  desire  for  opinion,  he  has 
until  lately,  very  lately,  believed  in  the  justice  of  his 
countr\^  He  hoped  that  as  the  clouds  of  adversity 
scattered,  and  as  the  sunshine  of  peace  and  better  for- 
tune broke  in  upon  us,  the  coldness  and  severity  of 
government  would  relax,  and  that  more  than  justice, 
that  gratitude  would  Llaze  forth  upon  those  hands 
which  had  upheld  her  in  the  darkest  stages  of  her 
passage,  from  impending  servitude,  to  acknowledg- 
ed independence.  But  faith  has  its  limits  as  well  as 
temper,  and  there  are  points  beyond  which  neither 
can  be  stretched,  without  sinking  into  cowardice,  or 
plunging  into  credulity.... This,  my  friends,  1  con- 
ceive to  be  your  situation.... Hurried  to  thie  very 
verge  of  both,  another  step  would  ruin  you  forever 
....To  be  tame  and  unprovoked  M'hen  injuries  press 
hard  upon  you,  is  more  than  weakness  ;  but  to 
look  up  for  kinder  usage,  without  one  manly  effort 
of  your  own,  would  fix  your  character,  and  shew  the 
world  how  richly  you  deserve  those  chains  you 
broke.  To  guard  against  this  evil,  let  us  take  a  re- 
view of  the  ground  upon  which  we  now  stand,  and 
from  thence  carry  our  thoughts  forward  for  a  mo- 
ment, into  the  unexplored  field  of  expedient. 

"  After  a  pursuit  of  seven  long  years,  the  object 
for  which  we  set  out  is  at  length  brought  within  our 
reach.... yes,  my  friends,  that  suffering  courage  of 
yours  was  active  once.... it  has  conducted  the  United 
States  of  America  through  a  doubtful  and  a  bloody 
war.     It  has  placed  her  in  the  chair  of  indepeiiden- 


1783.]  LIFE    Of    WASHINGTON.  299 

cy,  and  peace  returns  again  to  bless.... whom  ?  A 
country  willing  to  redress  your  wrongs,  cherish  your 
worth  and  reward  your  services  ?  A  country  court- 
ing your  return  to  private  life,  with  tears  of  grati- 
tude, and  smiles  of  admiration,  longing  to  divide 
with  you  that  independency  which  your  gallantry  has 
given,  and  those  riches  which  your  wounds  have 
preserved  ?  Is  this  the  case  ?  Or  is  it  rather  a  coun- 
try that  tramples  upon  your  rights,  disdains  your 
cries,  and  insults  your  distresses  ?  Have  you  not 
more  than  once  suggested  your  wishes,  and  made 
known  your  wants  to  Congress  ?  Wants  and  wishes 
which  gratitude  and  policy  should  have  anticipated 
rather  than  evaded  ;  and  have  you  not  lately  in  the 
meek  language  of  entreating  memorials,  begged 
from  their  justice,  what  you  could  no  longer  expect 
from  their  favour  ?  How  have  you  been  answered  ? 
Let  the  letter  which  you  are  called  to  consider  to- 
morrow reply. 

"  If  this,  then,  be  your  treatment  while  the 
swords  you  wear  are  necessary  for  the  defence  of 
America,  what  have  you  to  expect  from  peace,  when 
your  voice  shall  sink,  and  your  strength  dissipate  by 
division  ?  When  those  very  swords,  the  instruments 
and  companions  of  your  glory  shall  be  taken  from 
your  sides,  and  no  remaining  mark  of  military  dis- 
tinction left  but  your  wants,  infirmities  and  scars  ? 
Can  you  then  consent  to  be  the  only  sufferers  by 
this  revolution,  and  retiring  from  the  field,  grow 
old  in  poverty,  wretchedness  and  contempt  ?  Can 
you  consent  to  wade  through  the  vile  mire  of  de- 
pendency, and  owe  the  miserable  remant  of  that  life 


500  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1783. 

to  charity,  which  has  hitherto  been  spent  in  honour  ? 
If  you  can.... go.... and  carry  with  you  the  jest  of  to- 
nes and  the  scorn  of  whigs....the  ridicule,  and  what 
is  worse,  the  pity  of  the  world.  Go,  starve,  and  be 
forgotten  I  But  if  your  spirit  should  revolt  at  this  ; 
if  you  have  sense  enough  to  discover,  and  spirit 
enough  to  oppose  tyranny,  under  whatever  garb  it 
may  assume  ;  whether  it  be  the  plain  coat  of  repub- 
licanism, or  the  splendid  robe  of  royalty  ;  if  you 
have  not  yet  learned  to  discriminate  between  a  peo- 
ple and  a  cause,  between  men  and  principles.. ..a- 
wake  ;  attend  to  your  situation,  and  redress  your- 
selves. If  the  present  moment  be  lost,  every  future 
effort  is  in  vain  ;  and  your  threats  then,  will  be  as 
empty  as  your  entreaties  now. 

"  I  would  advise  you,  therefore,  to  come  to 
some  final  opinion  upon  what  you  can  bear,  and 
what  you  will  suffer.  If  your  determination  be  in 
any  proportion  to  your  wrongs,  carry  your  appeal 
from  the  justice  to  the  fears  of  government.  Change 
the  milk  and  water  stile  of  your  last  memorial  ;  as- 
sume a  bolder  tone. ...decent,  but  lively,  spirited  and 
determined,  and  suspect  the  man  who  would  advise 
to  more  moderation  and  longer  forbearance.  Let 
two  or  three  men  who  can  feel  as  well  as  write,  be 
appointed  to  draw  up  your  last  remonstrance  ;  for  I 
would  no  longer  give  it  the  sueing,  soft,  unsuccess- 
ful epithet  of  memorial.  Let  it  be  represented  in 
language  that  will  neither  dishonour  you  by  its  rude- 
ness, nor  betray  you  by  its  fears,  what  has  been 
promised  by  Congress,  and  what  has  been  perform- 
ed....how  long,  and  how  patiently  you  have  suffered 


178S.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  301 

....how  little  you  have  asked,  and  how  much  of  that 
little  has  been  denied.  Tell  them  that  though  you 
were  the  first,  and  would  wish  to  be  the  last  to  en- 
counter danger,  though  despair  itself  can  never  drive 
you  into  dishonour,  it  may  drive  you  from  the  field  ; 
that  the  wound  often  irritated,  and  never  healed, 
may  at  length  become  incurable  ;  and  that  the  slight- 
est mark  of  indignity  from  Congress  now  must  ope- 
rate like  the  grave,  and  part  you  forever  :  That  in 
any  political  event,  the  army  has  its  alternative.  If 
peace,  that  nothing  shall  separate  you  from  your 
arms  but  death  :  If  war,  that  courting  the -auspices, 
and  inviting  the  direction  of  your  illustrious  leader, 
you  will  retire  to  some  unsetded  country,  smile  in 
your  turn,  and  mock  when  their  fear  cometh  on. 
But  let  it  represent  also,  that  should  they  comply 
with  the  request  of  your  late  memorial,  it  would 
make  you  more  happy,  and  them  more  respectable. 
That  while  war  should  continue,  you  would  follow 
their  standard  into  the  field,  and  when  it  came  to  an 
end  you  would  withdraw  into  the  shade  of  private 
life,  and  give  the  world  another  subject  of  wonder" 
and  applause  ;  an  army  victorious  over  its  enemies 
....victorious  over  itself." 

Tlie  reluctance  which  Congress  manifested  to 
compensate  the  army  for  seven  years  glorious  service, 
excited  a  temper  too  favourable  to  the  purposes  of 
the  writer  of  this  intemperate  address.  Prcbahly 
the  influence  of  General  Washington  aloise  ccuii 
have  arrested  the  rising  tempest ;  and  his  fir'  -; 
and  prudence  \\ere  equal  to  the  occasion,  i 
in  him  would  have   encouraged  th.-  desperate  lo 


502  LIF2    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1783. 

prosecution  of  the  most  rash  design  ;  and  strong 
and  violent  measures  would  have  enkindled  the 
smothered  spark  into  a  destructive  flame.  Noticing 
in  general  orders  the  anonymous  publication,  he  ex- 
pressed his  confidence  that  the  judgment  and  patri- 
otism of  the  army  would  forbid  their  "  attention  to 
such  an  irregular  invitation,  but  his  own  duty,"  he 
added,  "as  well  as  the  reputation  and  the  true  inter- 
est of  the  army  required  his  disapprobation  of  such 
disorderly  proceedings.  At  the  same  time,  he  re- 
quested the  general  and  field  officers,  with  one  offi- 
cer from  each  company,  and  a  proper  representa- 
tion from  the  staff  of  the  army,  to  assemble  at  twelve 
on  Saturday  the  15th,  at  the  new  building,  to  hear 
the  report  of  the  Committee  deputed  by  the  army  to 
Congress.  After  mature  deliberation,  they  will  de- 
vise what  further  measures  ought  to  be  adopted  as 
most  rational  and  best  calculated  to  obtain  the  just 
and  important  object  in  view."  The  senior  offi- 
cer in  rank  was  directed  to  preside,  and  to  report 
the  result  of  their  deliberations  to  the  Commander  in 
Chief. 

The  next  day  a  second  anonymous  address  was 
published.  The  writer  aftected  to  consider  the  orders 
of  the  General  as  countenancing  the  convention,  re- 
commended in  the  first  publication. 

On  the  15th  the  officers  met  agreeably  to  orders, 
and  General  Gates  took  the  chair.     The  Command- 
er in  Chief  then  addressed  them. 
"  Gentlemen, 

*'  By  an  anonymous  summons  an  attempt  lias 
been  made  to  convene  you  together.     How  incou- 


1783.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  SOS 

sistent  with  tlie  rules  of  propriety,  how  iinmilitary, 
and  how  subversive  of  all  order  and  discipline,  let 
the  good  sense  of  the  army  decide. 

*'  In  the  moment  of  this  summons,  another  anon- 
ymous production  was  sent  into  circulation,  address- 
ed more  to  the  feelings  and  passions  than  to  the 
judgment  of  the  army.  The  author  of  the  piece  is 
entitled  to  much  credit  for  the  goodness  of  his  pen  ; 
and  I  could  wish  he  had  as  much  credit  for  the  recti- 
tude of  his  heart  ;  for,  as  men  see  through  different 
optics,  and  are  induced  by  the  reflecting  faculties  of 
the  mind,  to  use  different  means  to  attain  the  same 
end,  the  author  of  the  address  should  have  had  more 
charity  than  to  mark  for  suspicion  the  man  who 
should  recommend  moderation  and  longer  forbear- 
ance ;  or  in  other  words,  M'ho  should  not  think  as 
he  thinks,  and  act  as  he  advises.  But  he  had  anoth- 
er plan  in  view,  in  which  candour  and  liberality  of 
sentiment,  regard  to  justice  and  love  of  country, 
have  no  part ;  and  he  was  right  to  insinuate  the 
darkest  suspicion  to  effect  the  blackest  design.  That 
the  address  was  drawn  with  great  art,  and  is  design- 
ed to  answer  the  most  insidious  purposes  ;  that  it 
is  calculated  to  impress  the  mind  with  an  idea  of 
premeditated  injustice  in  the  sovereign  power  of  the 
United  States,  and  rouse  all  those  resentments  which 
must  unavoidably  flow  from  such  a  belief;  that  the 
secret  mover  of  this  scheme,  whoever  he  may  be,  in- 
tended to  take  advantage  of  the  passions,  while  they 
were  warmed  by  the  recollection  of  past  distresses, 
without  giving  time  for  cool,  deliberative  thinking, 
and  that  composure  of  mind  which  is  so  necessary 


504  LIFB     OP     WASHINGTON.  [1783. 

to  give  dignity  and  stability  to  measures,  is  render- 
ed too  obvious,  by  the  mode  of  conducting  the  bus- 
iness, to  need  other  proof  than  a  reference  to  the 
proceedings. 

"  Thus  much,  gentlemen,  I  have  thought  it  in- 
cumbent on  me  to  observe  to  you,  to  shew  upon 
what  principles  I  opposed  the  irregular  and  hasty 
meeting  which  was  proposed  to  have  been  held  on 
Tuesday  last,  and  not  because  I  wanted  a  disposi- 
tion to  give  yoti  every  opportunity,  consistent  with 
your  own  honour,  and  the  dignity  of  the  army,  to 
make  known  your  grievances.  If  my  conduct  here- 
tofore has  not  evinced  to  you,  that  I  have  been  a 
faithful  friend  to  the  army,  my  declaration  of  it  at 
this  time  would  be  equally  unavailing  and  improper. 
But  as  I  was  among  the  first  who  embarked  in  the 
cause  of  our  common  country  ;  as  I  have  never  left 
your  side  one  moment,  but  when  called  from  you  on 
publick  duty  ;  as  I  have  been  the  constant  companion 
and  witness  of  your  distresses,  and  not  among  the  last 
to  feel  and  acknowledge  your  merits  ;  as  I  have  ever 
considered  my  own  military  reputation  as  insepara- 
bly connected  with  that  of  the  army  ;  as  my  heart 
has  ever  expanded  with  joy  when  I  have  heard  its 
praises,  and  my  indignation  has  arisen  when  the 
mouth  of  detraction  has  been  opened  against  it ;  it 
can  scarcely  be  supposed  at  this  last  stage  of  the  war, 
that  I  am  indifferent  to  its  interests.  But  how  are 
they  to  be  promoted  ?  The  way  is  plain,  says  the 
anonymous  addresser  !  If  war  continues,  remove 
into  the  unsettled  country ;  there  establish  your- 
selves, and  leave  an  ungrateful  country  to  defend  it- 


1783.1  LIFE    O?     WASHINGTON,  $0S 

self;. ...But  who  are  they  to  defend  ?  Our  wives,  our 
children,  our  farms  and  other  property  which  we 
leave  behind  us  ?  Or  in  this  state  of  hostile  separa- 
tion, are  we  to  take  the  two  first,  (the  latter  cannot 
be  removed)  to  perish  in  a  wilderness  with  hunger^ 
cold  and  nakedness  ? 

"  If  peace  takes  place,  never  sheath  your  swords," 
says  he,  "  until  you  have  obtained  full  and  ample 
justice."  This  dreadful  alternative  of  either  desert- 
ing our  country  in  the  extremesthour  of  her  distress, 
on  turning  our  arms  against  it,  which  is  the  apparent 
object,  unless  Congress  can  be  compelled  into  in- 
stant compliance,  has  something  so  shocking  in  it, 
that  humanity  revolts  at  the  idea.  My  God  !  What 
can  this  writer  have  in  view,  by  recommending  such 
measures  ?  Can  he  be  a  friend  to  the  army  ?  Can  he 
be  a  friend  to  this  country  ?  Rather  is  he  not  an  in- 
sidious  foe  ;  some  emissary,  perhaps,  from  New 
York,  plotting  the  ruin  of  both,  by  sowing  the  seeds 
of  discord  and  separation  between  the  civil  and  milita- 
ry powers  of  the  continent  ?  And  what  a  compliment 
does  he  pay  to  our  understandings,  when  he  recom- 
mends measures,  in  either  alternative,  impractica- 
ble in  their  nature  ?  But  here,  gentlemen,  I  \^  ill 
drop  the  curtain,  because  it  would  be  as  imprudent 
in  me  to  assign  my  reasons  for  this  opinion,  as  it 
Avouid  be  insulting  to  your  conception  to  suppose 
you  stood  in  need  of  them.  A  moment's  reflection 
will  convince  every  dispassionate  mind  of  the  phys- 
ical impossibility  of  carrying  either  proposal  into  ex- 
ecution. There  might,  gentlemen,  be  an  impropri- 
ety in  my  taking  notice,  in  this  address  to  you,  of  an 


506  LirX    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1783. 

anonymous  production  ;....but  the  manner  in  which 
that  performance  has  been  introduced  to  the  army  ; 
the  effect  it  was  intended  to  have,  together  with 
some  other  circumstances,  will  amply  justify  my  ob- 
servation on  the  tendency  of  that  writing. 

"  With  respect  to  the  advice  given  by  the  au- 
thor, to  suspect  the  man  who  shall  recommend  mod- 
crate  measures   and  longer  forbearance,  I  spurn  it, 
as  every  man  who  regards  that   liberty  and   reveres 
that  justice  for  which   we  contend,   undoubtedly 
must ;  for,  if  men  are  to  be  precluded  from  offering 
their  sentiments  on  a  matter  which  may  involve  the 
most  serious  and  alarming  consequences  that  can 
invite  the  consideration  of  mankind,  reason  is  of  no 
use  to  us.     The  freedom  of  speech  may  be  taken 
away,  and  dumb  and  silent  we  may  be  led,  like 
sheep  to  the  slaughter.     I  cannot  in  justice  to  my 
Own  belief,  and  what  I  have  great  reason  to  conceive 
is  the  intention  of  Congress,  conclude  this  address, 
without  giving  it  as  my  decided  opinion,  that,  that 
honourable  body  entertain  exalted  sentiments  of  the 
services  of  the  army,  and  from  a  full  conviction  of 
its  merits  and  sufferings,  will  do  it  complete  justice. 
That  their  endeavours  to  discover  and  establish  funds 
for  this  purpose  have  been  unwearied,  and  will  not 
cease  until  they  have  succeeded,  I  have  not  a  doubt. 
"  But  like  all  other  large  bodies,  where  there  is 
a  variety  of  different  interests  to  reconcile,  their  de- 
terminations are  slow.     Why  then  should  we  dis- 
trust them  ?  And  in  consequence  of  that  distrust, 
adopt  measures  which  may  cast  a  shade  over  that 
glory  which  has  been  so  justly  acquired,  and  tarnish 
the  reputation  of  an  army  which  is  celebrated  through 


1785.]  LIFE    OF    WASaiNGTON.  $07 

all  Europe  for  its,  fortitude  and  patriotism  ?  And 
for  what  is  this  done  ?  To  bring  the  object  we  seek 
nearer  ?  No  ;  most  certainly,  in  my  opinion,  it  will 
cast  it  at  a  greater  distance.  For  myself,  (and  I 
take  no  merit  in  giving  the  assurance,  being  induc- 
ed to  it  from  principles  of  gratitude,  veracity,  and 
justice,  and  a  grateful  sense  of  the  confidence  you 
have  ever  placed  in  me)  a  recollection  of  the  cheerful 
assistance  and  prompt  obedience  I  have  experienced 
from  you,  under  every  vicissitude  of  fortune,  and  the 
sincere  affection  I  feel  for  an  army  I  have  so  long  had 
the  honour  to  command  will  oblige  me  to  declare  in 
this  publick  and  solemn  manner,  that  in  the  attain- 
ment of  complete  justice  for  all  your  toils  and  dan- 
gers, and  in  the  gratification  of  every  wish,  so  far  as 
may  be  done  consistently  with  the  great  duty  I  owe 
my  country,  and  those  powers  we  are  bound  to  res- 
pect, you  may  freely  command  my  services  to  the 
utmost  extent  of  my  abilities. 

*'  While  I  give  you  these  assurances,  and  pledge 
myself  in  the  most  unequivocal  manner,  to  exert 
whatever  abilities  I  am  possessed  of  in  your  fa- 
vour, let  me  intreat  you,  gentlemen,  on  your  part, 
not  to  take  any  measures,  which  viewed  in  the  calm 
light  of  reason,  will  lessen  the  dignity,  and  sully  the 
glory  you  have  hitherto  maintained  :.... Let  me  re- 
quest you  to  rely  on  the  plighted  faith  of  your  coun- 
try, and  place  a  full  confidence  in  the  purity  of  the  in- 
tentions of  Congress  ;  that  previous  to  your  disso- 
lution as  an  army,  they  will  cause  all  your  accounts 
to  be  fairly  liquidated,  as  directed  in  the  resolutions 
which  wTre  published  to  you  two  days  ago ;  and 


308         LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.         [1783. 

that  they  will  adopt  the  most  effectual  measures  in 
their  power  to  render  ample  justice  to  you  for  your 
faidiful  and  meritorious  services.  And  let  me  con- 
jure you,  in  the  name  of  our  common  country,  as 
you  value  your  own  sacred  honour  ;  as  you  respect 
the  rights  of  humanity  ;  and  as  you  regard  the  mili- 
tary and  national  character  of  America  ;  to  express 
your  utmost  horror  and  detestation  of  the  man  who 
wishes,  under  any  specious  pretences,  to  overturn 
the  liberties  of  our  country  ;  and  who  wickedly  at- 
tempts to  open  the  floodgates  of  civil  discord,  and 
deluge  our  rising  empire  in  blood. 

"By  thus  determining,  and  thus  acting,  you  will 
pursue  the  plain  and  direct  road  to  the  attainment  of 
your  wishes  ;  you  will  defeat  the  insidious  designs  of 
our  enemies,  who  are  compelled  to  resort  from  open 
force  to  secret  artifice.  You  will  give  one  more  dis- 
tinguished proof  of  unexampled  patriotism  and  pa- 
tient virtue,  rising  superiour  to  the  pressure  of  the 
most  complicated  sufferings ;  and  you  will  by  the 
dignity  of  your  conduct  afford  occasion  for  posteri- 
ty to  say,  when  speaking  of  the  glorious  example 
you  have  exhibited  to  mankind.... had  this  day  been 
wanting,  the  world  had  never  seen  the  last  stage  of 
perfection  to  which  human  nature  is  capable  of  at- 
taining." 

In  the  judgment,  honour  and  friendship  of  their 
General,  the  officers  placed  unbounded  confidence  ; 
and  his  recommendations  carried  irresistible  weight. 
The  most  desperate  had  not  the  hardihood  to  oppose 
his  advice.  General  Knox  moved,  and  Brigadier 
General  Putnam   seconded  a  resolution,  "  assuring 


1783.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  509 

him  that  the  officers  reciprocated  his  affectionate  ex- 
pressions with  the  greatest  sincerity  of  which  the 
human  heart  is  capable"  which  passed  unanimous- 
ly. On  motion  of  General  Putnam  a  committee 
was  then  chosen,  consisting  of  General  Knox,  Colo- 
nel Brooks  and  Captain  Heywood,  to  prepare  reso- 
lutions on  the  business  before  them.  They  report- 
ed the  following  resolutions,  which  on  mature  delib- 
eration passed  unanimously, 

"  Resolved  unanimously,  that  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  present  war,  the  officers  of  the  Ameri- 
can army  engaged  in  the  service  of  their  country  from 
the  purest  love  and  attachment  to  the  rights  and  lib- 
erties of  human  nature  ;  which  motives  still  exist  in 
the  highest  degree  ;  and  that  no  circumstances  of 
distress  or  danger  shall  induce  a  conduct  that  may 
tend  to  sully  the  reputation  and  glory  which  they 
have  acquired,  at  the  price  of  their  blood  and  eight 
years  faithful  services. 

*'  Resolved  unanimously,  that  the  army  contin- 
ue to  have  an  unshaken  confidence  in  the  justice  of 
Congress  and  their  country,  and  are  fully  convinced 
that  the  Representatives  of  America  will  not  disband 
or  disperse  the  army  until  their  accounts  are  liqui- 
dated, the  balances  accurately  ascertained,  and  ade- 
quate funds  established  for  payment  ;  and  in  this 
arrangement,  the  officers  expect  that  the  half  pay,  or 
a  commutation  for  it,  should  be  efficaciously  com» 
prehended. 

*'  Resolved  unanimously,  that  his  Excellency  the 
Commander  in  Chief  be  requested  to  write  to  his 
J:',xcellency  the  President  of  Congress,  earnestly  en- 


510  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.        [1783. 

treating  the  most  speedy  decision  of  that  honoura- 
ble body  upon  the  subject  of  our  late  address,  which 
was  forwarded  by  a  Committee  of  the  army,  some 
of  whom  are  waiting  upon  Congress  for  the  result. 
In  the  alternative  of  peace  or  war,  this  event  would 
be  highly  satisfactory,  and  would  produce  immedi- 
ate tranquillity  in  the  minds  of  the  army,  and  prevent 
any  further  machinations  of  designing  men,  to  sow 
discord  between  the  civil  and  military  powers  of  the 
United  States. 

"On  motion,  resolved  unanimously,  that  the  offi- 
cers of  the  American  army  view  with  abhorrence 
and  reject  with  disdain,  the  infamous  propositions 
contained  in  a  late  anonymous  address  to  the  officers 
of  the  army,  and  resent  Avith  indignation  the  secret 
attempts  of  some  unknown  persons  to  collect  the 
officers  together,  in  a  manner  totally  subversive  of 
all  discipline  and  good  order. 

"  Resolved  unanimously,  that  the  thanks  of  the 
officers  of  the  army  be  given  to  the  Committee  who 
presented  to  Congress  the  late  address  of  the  army, 
for  the  wisdom  and  prudence  with  which  they  have 
conducted  that  business;  and  that  a  copy  of  the 
proceedings  of  this  day,  be  transmitted  by  the  Pres- 
ident to  Major  General  M'Dougal ;  and  that  he  be 
requested  to  continue  his  solicitations  at  Congress, 
until  the  objects  of  his  mission  are  accomplished." 
Machinations  which  threatened  the  army  with  dis- 
grace, and  the  country  with  ruin  being  thus  happily 
suppressed,  General  Washington  without  delay 
executed  his  promise  to  the  officers  ;  and  in  a  letter 
to  Congress  with  feeling  and  force  supported  their 
claims  upon  their  country. 


y^ 


1783.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  Sll 

Soon  after  these  proceedings,  nine  states  con- 
curred in  a  resolution,  commuting  the  half  pay  into 
a  sum  equal  to  five  years  whole  pay.  Still  Congress 
depended  on  the  states  to  furnish  the  funds  to  ena- 
able  them  to  fulfil  this  engagement. 

In  April  the  ratification  of  the  preliminary  arti- 
cles of  peace  between  France  and  Great  Britain  were 
received,  and  on  the  19th  of  that  month,  a  cessation 
of  hostilities  was  proclaimed  in  the  American  camp. 

In  June  General  Washington  addressed  a 
circular  letter  on  the  important  interests  of  the  Union, 
to  the  Governours  of  the  several  states It  began, 

SIR, 

"  Thfe  great  object  for  which  I  had  the  honour 
to  hold  an  appointment  in  the  service  of  my  coun- 
try, being  accomplished,  I  am  now  preparing  to  re-^ 
sign  it  into  the  hands  of  Congress,  and  return  t€^ 
that  domestick  retirement,  which  it  is  well  known,  I 
left  with  the  greatest  reluctance ;  a  retirement  for 
which  I  have  never  ceased  to  sigh  through  a  long  and 
painful  absence,  in  which  (remote  from  the  noise 
and  trouble  of  the  world)  I  meditate  to  pass  the  re- 
mainder of  life  in  a  state  of  undisturbed  repose ; 
but,  before  I  carry  this  resolution  into  effect,  I  think 
it  a  duty  incumbent  on  me  to  make  this  my  last  offi- 
cial communication,  to  congratulate  you  on  the  glo- 
rious events  which  Heaven  has  been  pleased  to  pro- 
duce in  our  favour  ;  to  oftbr  my -sentiments  respect-/ 
ing  some  important  subjects  which  appear  to  me  to 
be  intimately  connected  with  the  tranquillity  of  the 
United  States  ;  to  take  my  leave  of  your  Excellcn. 
cy  as  a  publick  character,  and  to  give  my  final  bles- 


812  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON^  [1783. 

sing  to  that  country  in  whose  service  I  have  spent 
the  prime  of  my  hfe  ;  for  whose  sake  I  have  con- 
sumed so  many  anxious  days  and  watchful  nights  ; 
and  whose  happiness  being  extremely  dear  to  me, 
will  always  constitute  no  inconsiderable  part  of  my 
own. 

"  Impressed  with  the  liveliest  sensibility  on  this 
pleasing  occasion,  I  will  claim  the  indulgence  of  de- 
tailing the  more  copiously  on  the  subject  of  our  mu- 
tual felicitation.  When  we  consider  the  magnitude 
of  the  prize  we  contended  for,  the  doubtful  nature 
of  the  contest,  and  the  favourable  manner  in  which  it 
has  terminated,  we  shall  find  the  greatest  possible 
reason  for  gratitude  and  rejoicing  :  This  is  a  theme 
that  will  afford  infinite  delight  to  every  benevolent 
and  liberal  mind,  whether  the  event  in  contemplation 
be  considered  as  a  source  of  present  enjoyment,  or 
the  parent  of  future  happiness  ;  and  we  shall  have 
equal  occasion  to  felicitate  ourselves  on  the  lot  which 
Providence  has  assigned  us,  whether  we  view  it  in 
a  natural,  political,  or  a  moral  point  of  view. 

"  The  citizens  of  America,  placed  in  the  most 
enviable  condition,  as  the  sole  lords  and  proprietors 
of  a  vast  tract  of  continent,  comprehending  all  the 
various  soils  and  climates  of  the  world,  and  abound- 
ing with  all  the  necessaries  and  conveniences  of  life, 
are  now,  by  the  late  satisfactory  pacification,  ac- 
knowledged to  be  possessed  of  absolute  freedom  and 
independency  ;  they  are  from  this  period  to  be  con- 
sidered as  the  actors  on  a  most  conspicuous  theatre, 
which  seems  to  be  peculiarly  designed  by  Provi- 
•icnce  for  the  display  of  human  greatness  and  felici- 


1785.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  3lS 

ty :  Here  they  are  not  only  surrounded  with  every 
thing  that  can  contribute  to  the  completion  of  pri- 
vate and  domestick  enjoyment,  but  Heaven  has  * 
crowned  all  its  other  blessings,  by  giving  a  surer  op- 
portunity for  political  happiness  than  any  other  na- 
tion has  ever  been  favoured  with.  Nothing  can  il-  ^^ 
lustrate  these  observations  more  forcibly  than  the  re- 
collection of  the  happy  conjuncture  of  times  and  cir- 
cumstances, under  which  our  republick  assumed 
its  rank  among  the  nations. 

*'  The  foundation  of  our  empire  was  not  laid  in 
a  gloomy  age  of  ignorance  and  superstition,  but  at 
an  epocha  when  the  rights  of  mankind  were  better 
understood  and  more  clearly  defined,  than  at  any  • 
former  period  :  Researches  of  the  human  mind  after 
social  happiness  have  been  carried  to  a  great  extent : 
The  treasures  of  knowledge  acquired  by  the  labours 
of  philosophers,  sages,  and  legislators,  through  a 
long  succession  of  years,  are  laid  open  for  use,  and 
their  collected  wisdom  may  be  happily  applied  ia 
the  estlablishment  of  our  forms  of  government  :  The 
free  cultivation  of  letters,  the  unbounded  extension 
of  commerce,  the  progressive  refinement  of  manners, 
the  growing  liberality  of  sentiment,  and,  above  all, 
the  pure  and  benign  light  of  revelation,  have  had  a 
meliorating  influence  on  mankind,  and  increased  the 
blessings  of  society.  At  this  auspicious  period  the 
United  States  came  into  existence  as  a  nation,  and 
if  their  citizens  should  not  be  completely  free  and 
happy,  the  fault  will  be  entirely  their  own. 

*'  Such  is  our  situation,  and  such  are  our  prospects; 
but  notwithstanding  the  cup  of  blessing  is  thus 

R  R 


314  LI^E    OP    T7ASHINGTON.  [1783. 

reached  out  to  us,  notwithstanding  happiness  is 
ours,  if  we  have  a  disposition  to  seize  the  occasion, 
,  and  make  it  our  own  ;  yet  it  appears  to  me,  there  is 
an  option  still  left  to  the  United  States  of  America, 
whether  they  will  be  respectable  and  prosperous,  or 
contemptible  and  miserable  as  a  nation.  This  is  the 
time  of  their  political  probation  ;  this  is  the  mo- 
ment, when  the  eyes  of  the  whole  world  are  turned 
upon  them  ;  this  is  the  time  to  establish  or  ruin  their 
national  character  forever ;  this  is  the  favourable 
moment  to  give  such  a  tone  to  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment, as  will  enable  it  to  answer  the  ends  of  its  in- 
stitution ;  or  this  may  be  the  ill.  fated  moment  for 
relaxing  the  powers  of  the  Union,  annihilating  the 
cement  of  the  confederation,  and  exposing  us  to 
become  the  sport  of  European  politicks,  which  may 
play  one  state  against  another,  to  prevent  their  grow- 
ing importance,  and  to  serve  their  own  interested 
purposes.  For,  according  to  the  system  of  policy 
the  states  shall  adopt  at  this  moment,  they  will 
stand  or  fall ;  and,  by  their  confirmation  or  lapse, 
it  is  yet  to  be  decided,  whether  the  revolution  must 
ultimately  be  considered  as  a  blessing  or  a  curse  ; 
a  blessing  or  a  curse,  not  to  the  present  age  alone, 
for  with  our  fate  will  the  destiny  of  unborn  millions 
be  involved. 

"  With  this  conviction  of  the  importance  of  the 
present  crisis,  silence  in  me  would  be  a  crime,  I 
will  therefore  speak  to  your  Excellency  the  language 
of  freedom  and  sincerity,  without  disguise.  I  am 
aware,  however,  those  who  differ  from  me  in  politi- 
cal sentiments,  may  perhaps  remark,  I  am  stepping 


1783.]  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON,  815 

out  of  the  proper  line  of  my  duty  ;  and  they  may 
possibly  ascribe  to  arrogance  or  ostentation,  what  I 
know  is  alone  the  result  of  the  purest  intention  ;  but 
the  rectitude  of  my  own  heart,  w  hich  disdains  such 
unworthy  motives,  the  part  I  have  hitherto  acted 
in  life,  the  determination  I  have  formed  of  not  tak- 
ing any  share  in  publick  business  hereafter,  the  ar- 
dent desire  I  feel  and  shall  continue  to  manifest,  of 
quietly  enjoying  in  private  life,  after  all  the  toils  of 
war,  the  benefits  of  a  wise  and  liberal  government, 
will,  I  flatter  myself,  sooner  or  later,  convince  my 
countrymen,  that  I  could  have  no  sinister  views  in 
delivering  with  so  little  reserve,  the  opinions  con- 
tained in  this  address. 

"  There  are  four  things  which  I  humbly  conceive 
are  essential  to  the  well  being,  I  may  even  venture 
to  say,  to  the  existence  of  the  United  States,  as  an 
independent  power. 

"1st.  An  indissoluble  union  of  the  states  under 
one  federal  head. 

"  2dly.  A  sacred  regard  to  publick  justice. 

"  3dly.  The  adoption  of  a  proper  peace  estab- 
lishment.    And, 

"  4thly.  The  prevalence  of  that  pacifick  and 
friendly  disposition  among  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  which  will  induce  them  to  forget  their  local 
prejudices  and  policies,  to  make  those  mutual  con- 
cessions which  are  requisite  to  the  general  prosperi- 
ty, and,  in  some  instances,  to  sacrifice  their  individ- 
ual advantages  to  the  interest  of  the  community. 

"  These  are  the  pillars  on  which  the  glorious 
fabrick  of  our  independency  and  national  character 


316  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1783, 

must  be  supported.  Liberty  is  the  basis,  and  who- 
ever would  dare  to  sap  the  foundation,  or  overturn 
the  structure,  under  whatever  specious  pretext  he 
may  attempt  it,  will  merit  the  bitterest  execration  and 
the  severest  punishment  which  can  be  inflicted  by 
his  injured  country." 

Having  dilated  on  these  subjects,  the  letter  was 
thus  concluded  : 

*'  I  have  thus  freely  disclosed  what  I  wished  to 
make  known  before  I  surrendered  up  my  publick 
trust  to  those  who  committed  it  to  me  :  The  task  is 
now  accomplished.  I  now  bid  adieu  to  your  Excel- 
lency, as  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  your  state  ;  at  the 
same  time  I  bid  a  last  farewell  to  the  cares  of  office, 
and  all  the  employments  of  publick  life. 

*'  It  remains,  then,  to  be  my  final  and  only  re- 
quest, that  your  Excellency  will  communicate  these 
sentiments  to  your  Legislature,  at  their  next  meet- 
ing ;  and  that  they  may  be  considered  as  the  Legacy 
of  one  who  has  ardently  wished,  on  all  occasions,  to 
be  useful  to  his  country,  and  who  even  in  the  shade 
of  retirement,  will  not  fail  to  implore  the  divine  ben- 
ediction upon  it. 

"  I  now  make  it  my  earnest  prayer,  that  God 
would  have  you,  and  the  state  over  which  you  pre- 
side, in  his  holy  protection  ;  that  he  would  incline 
the  hearts  of  the  citizens  to  cultivate  a  spirit  of  sub- 
ordination and  obedience  to  government  ;  to  enter- 
tain a  brotherly  aflection  and  love  for  one  another,  for 
their  fellow  citizens  of  the  United  States  at  large  ; 
and  particularly  for  their  brethren  who  have  served 
in  the  field ;  and  finally,  that  he  would  most  gra- 


X783.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  317 

ciouslybe  pleased  to  dispose  us  all  to  do  justice,  to 
love  mercy,  and  to  demean  ourselves  with  that  chari- 
ty, humility,  and  pacifick  temper  of  mind,  which 
were  the  characteiisticks  of  the  divine  Author  of  our 
blessed  religion ;  ^vithout  an  humble  imitation  of 
whose  example,  in  these  things,  we  can  never  hope 
to  be  a  happy  nation.'* 

From  this  time  the  disbanding  the  army  engross- 
ed the  attention  of  Congress  and  of  the  Commander 
in  Chief.  No  funds  were  established  to  discharge 
the  five  years  commutation.  Large  arrearages  of 
pay  were  due  to  officers  and  privates,  and  it  was  not 
in  the  power  of  government  to  advance  them  money 
even  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  journey  to  their 
homes.  To  disband  the  army  in  a  body  under  these 
circumstances,  was  deemed  a  measure  of  too  great 
hazard.  Congress  therefore  directed  the  General 
not  to  give  discharges  to  the  troops  which  were 
inlisted  for  the  war,  until  the  definite  articles  of 
peace  should  be  signed ;  but  to  grant  furloughs  to  all 
non  commissioned  officers  and  soldiers  of  this  de- 
scription, who  desired  them  ;  and  they  were  not  or- 
dered to  rejoin  their  regiments. 

Alarmed  at  this  measure,  the  Generals,  and  offi- 
cers commanding  regiments  and  corps  on  the  Hud- 
son, presented  an  affectionate  and  respectful  address 
to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  in  which  they  expressed 
a  dutiful  attachment  to  the  government,  but  men- 
tioned that  after  the  late  resolution  of  Congress,  they 
**  confidently  expected  that  their  accounts  would  be 
liquidated,  the  balances  ascertained,  and  adequate 
funds  for  the  payment  of  those  balances  provided, 


518  LITE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1783. 

before  they  should  be  dispersed  or  disbanded."  On 
the  succeeding  day,  in  answer  to  their  address,  he 
observed,  "  that  as  no  man  could  possibly  be  better 
acquainted  than  himself,  with  the  past  merits  and  ser- 
vices of  the  army,  so  no  one  could  possibly  be  more 
strongly  impressed  with  their  present  ineligible  situ- 
ation ;  feel  a  keener  sensibility  at  their  distresses ; 
or  more  ardently  desire  to  alleviate  or  remove  them." 
He  subjoined. 

"  Although  the  officers  of  the  army  very  well 
know  my  official  situation,  that  I  am  only  a  servant 
of  the  publick,  and  that  it  is  not  with  me  to  dis- 
pense with  orders  which  it  is  my  duty  to  carry  into 
execution,  yet  as  furloughs  in  all  services  are  consid- 
ered as  a  matter  of  indulgence,  and  not  of  compul- 
sion ;  as  Congress,  I  am  pursuaded,  entertained  the 
best  disposition  towards  the  army  ;  and,  as  I  appre- 
hend, in  a  very  short  time  the  two  principal  articles 
of  complaint  will  be  removed ;  until  the  further 
pleasure  of  Congress  can  be  known,  1  shall  not  hesi- 
tate to  comply  W'ith  the  wishes  of  the  army,  under 
these  reservations  only,  that  officers  sufficient  to  con- 
duct  the  men  who  choose  to  receive  furloughs,  will 
attend  them,  either  on  furlough,  or  by  detachment." 

This  answer  proved  satisfactory  ;  good  humour 
prevailed  through  the  camp,  furloughs  were  general- 
ly taken  j  and  in  the  course  of  the  summer,  the  great- 
er part  of  the  soldiers  returned  quietly  home. 

In  October,  Congress  issued  a  proclamation, 
declaring  all  those  soldiers,  who  had  engaged  for  the 
war,  discharged  on  tlie  3d  of  December. 


1783.1  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  31^ 

While  the  veteran  troops,  who  had  borne  the  heat 
and  burden  of  the  war,  left  the  service  unpaid,  aiid 
peaceably  returned  to  the  business  of  private  life  ; 
about  eighty  new  levies,  stationed  at  Lancaster  ia 
Pennsylvania,  revolted  from  their  officers,  and  in  a 
body  marched  to  Philadelphia.  Being  there  joined 
by  two  hundred  of  their  eompanions  in  arms  who 
were  quartered  in  the  barracks,  they  surrounded, 
with  fixed  bayonets,  the  State  House,  in  which 
Congress  and  the  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylva- 
nia were  sitting,  and  sent  in  a  written  message  threat- 
ening the  Council  with  the  last  outrage,  if  their  de- 
mands were  not,  in  twenty  minutes,  granted.  Con- 
gress was  not  immediately  menaced,  but  they  were^ 
for  several  hours,  insolently  blocked  up  in  their  halL 

As  soon  as  General  Washington  received  in- 
telligence of  the  mutiny,  he  detached  General  Howe 
with  fifteen  hundred  men  to  suppress  it ;  but  before 
he  reached  Philadelphia,  the  disturbance  was  with- 
out bloodshed  quieted.  In  a  letter  to  Congress, 
General  Washington  thus  expressed  his  indig- 
nation at  this  outrage  of  the  military. 

*'  While  I  suffer  the  most  poignant  distress  in 
observing  that  a  handful  of  men,  contemptible  in 
numbers,  and  equally  so  in  point  of  service,  (if  the 
veteran  troops  from  the  southward  have  not  been  se- 
duced by  their  example)  and  who  are  not  worthy 
to  be  called  soldiers,  should  disgrace  themselves  and 
their  country,  as  the  Pennsylvania  mutineers  have 
done,  by  insulting  the  sovereign  authority  of  the 
United  States,  and  that  of  their  own,  I  feel  an  inex- 
pressible satisfaction,  that  even  this  behaviour  can- 


320  tlFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [178S<, 

not  stain  the  name  of  the  American  soldiery.  It 
cannot  be  imputable  to,  or  reflect  dishonour  on  the 
army  at  large,  but  on  the  contrary  it  will  by  the  strik- 
ing contrast  it  exhibits,  hold  up  to  publick  view  the 
other  troops  in  the  most  advantageous  point  of  light.. 
Upon  taking  all  the  circumstances  into  considera- 
tion, I  cannot  sufficiently  express  my  surprise  and 
indignation  at  the  arrogance,  the  folly,  and  the  wick- 
edness of  the  mutineers  ;  nor  can  I  sufficiently  ad- 
mire the  fidelity,  the  bravery,  and  patriotism  which 
must  forever  signalize  the  unsullied  character  of  the 
other  corps  of  our  army.  For  when  we  consider 
that  these  Pennsylvania  levies,  who  have  now  mu- 
tinied, are  recruits,  and  soldiers  of  a  day,  who  have 
not  borne  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  war,  and  who 
can  have,  in  reality,  very  few  hardships  to  complain 
of;  and  when  we  at  the  same  time  recollect  that 
those  soldiers,  who  have  lately  been  furloughed  from 
this  army,  are  the  veterans  who  have  patiently  en- 
dured hunger,  nakedness  and  cold  ;  who  have  suf- 
fered and  bled  without  a  murmur,  and  \vho  with  per- 
fect good  order,  have  retired  to  their  homes,  without 
a  settlement  of  their  accounts,  or  a  farthing  of  mo- 
ney in  their  pockets  ;  we  shall  be  as  much  astonish- 
ed at  the  virtues  of  the  latter,  as  we  are  struck  with 
horror  and  detestation  at  the  proceedings  of  the 
former  ;  and  every  candid  mind,  without  indulging 
ill  grounded  prejudices,  will  undoubtedly  make  the 
proper  discrimination." 

On  the  25th  November,  the  British  troops  evac- 
uated New  York.  General  Washington,  ac- 
companied by  Governour  Clinton,  by  a  number  of 


1783.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  S2l 

Other  civil  and  military  officers,  and  by  many  respect- 
able citizens,  made  his  publick  entry  on  horseback 
into  the  city. 

His  military  course  bein£^  honourably  and  suc- 
cessfully terminated,  the  painful  task  remained  to 
bid  adieu  to  the  companions  of  his  toils  and  dangers. 
The  closing  interview  took  place  on  the  4th  of  De- 
cember. At  noon  the  principal  officers  of  the  army 
assembled  at  Francis's  tavern,  and  their  General  soon 
entered  the  room.  His  emotions  were  too  great  for 
concealment.  Filling  a  glass  of  wine  he  turned  to 
them  and  said,  *'  With  a  heart  full  of  love  and  grati- 
tude, I  now  take  leave  of  you  ;  I  most  devoutly 
wish  that  your  latter  days  may  be  as  prosperous  and 
happy,  as  your  former  ones  have  been  glorious  and 
honourable."  He  drank  the  wine,  and  proceeded. 
**  1  cannot  come  to  each  of  you  to  take  my  leave, 
but  shall  be  obliged  to  you,  if  each  of  you  will  come 
and  take  me  by  the  hand."  General  Knox  being 
the  nearest,  turned  to  him.  Incapable  of  utterance, 
General  Washington  grasped  his  hand  and  em- 
braced him.  In  the  same  affecting  manner,  he  took 
leave  of  each  succeeding  officer.  From  every  eye 
dropped  the  tear  of  sensibility,  and  not  a  single 
word  interrupted  the  tenderness  of  the  scene.  He  im- 
mediately left  the  room,  and  passed  through  a  corps  of 
light  infantry,  on  his  way  to  White  Hall,  where  a 
barge  w  aited  to  convey  him  to  Powles'  Hook.  The 
whole  company  follov>ed  with  feelings  that  words 
cannot  express.  Having  entered  the  barge,  he  turn- 
ed, and  waving  his  hat,  bid  them  a  silent  adieu, 
s  s 


322  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1783. 

Congress  was  then  in  session  at  Annapolis.  To 
this  honourable  body,  the  General  immediately  re- 
paired to  resign  his  military  command.* 

He  arrived  on  the  19th,  and  on  the  next  day  in- 
formed Congress  of  his  desire  to  resign  into  their 

*  On  his  way  to  Annapolis,  he  stopped  at  Philadelphia  to 
settle  his  accounts  ;  ofwhich  transaction  Dr.  Gordon  makes 
the  following  statement. 

"  While  in  the  city,  he  delivered  in  his  accounts  to  the 
Comptroller,  down  to  December  1 3th,  all  in  his  onvn  hand 
ivriting,  and  every  entry  made  in  the  most  particular  man- 
ner, stating  the  occasion  of  each  charge,  so  as  to  give  the 
least  trouble  in  examining  and  comparing  them  with  the 
vouchers,  with  which  they  were  attended. 

The  heada  are  asjolloivs,  copied  from  the  folio  manuscript  pa- 
per  book  in  the  file  of  the  treasury  office^  N'o.  3700,  being  a 
black  box  oftin^  conlaining)  under  lock  and  key,  both  that 
and  the  vouchers. 

Total  of  Expenditures  from  1775  to  1783,  ex- 
clusive of  Provisions  from  Commissaries  and 
Contractors,  and  of  liquors,  &c.  from  them 

and  others, £3587   14  i 

*  Secret  intelligence  and  service, 1982   10  0 

Spent  in  reconnoitring  and  travelling, 1874     8  8 

Miscellaneous  charges, 2952   10   1 

Expended  besides,    dollars  according  to   the 

scale  of  depreciation, 6114  140 

£16,311.  17   1 

JVote.    104,364  of  the  dollars  were  received  after  March, 

1780,  and  although  credited  forty  for  one,  many  did  not  fetch 

at  the  rate  of  a  hundred  for  one,  while  27,775  of  them  are 

•'  *  Two  hundred  guineas  advanced  to  General  M'Dougal  are  not  in- 
cluded in  the  /"198a  10,  not  being  yet  fettled,  but  included  in  fome  of  the 
•tbei  charges,  aad  io  reckoned  in  the  general  fuai." 


1783.]  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  i523 

hands  the  commission  with  which  they  had  invested 
him  as  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  American  ar- 
mies ;  and  he  asked  in  what  form  he  should  present 
his  resignation.  Congress  resolved  that  it  should 
be  at  a  publick  audience  on  the  succeeding  Tuesday. 
When  the  moment  of  this  interesting  transaction 
arrived,  the  gallery  was  crowded  with  spectators  ; 
and  many  of  the  civil  officers  of  the  state  and  of  the 

returned  without  deducting  any  thing  from  the  above  ac- 
count (and,  therefore,  actually  made  a  present  of  to  the  pub- 
lick.) 
(General  Washington's  account)  from  June, 

1775,  to  the  end  of  June,  1783, £16,311    17   I 

Expenditure  from  July   1,   1783,  to  Decem- 
ber 13,    1717     5  i 

C Added  afternvardsj   from  thence  to  Decem- 
ber 28,  213     8  4 

Mrs.  Washington's    travelling  expenses  in 

coming  to  the  General  and  returning,  .  .       1064     1  o 

£19,306   11  9 
Lawful  money  of  Virginia,  the  same  as  the 
Massachusetts,  or  £14,479   18  9  3,  sterling, 

"  The  General  entered  in  his  book...."  I  find,  upon  the 
final  adjustment  of  these  accounts,  that  I  am  a  consider-f 
able  loser.. ..my  disbursements  falling  a  good  deal  short 
of  my  receipts,  and  the  money  I  had  upon  hand  of  my  own  : 
For  besides  the  sums  I  carried  with  me  to  Cambridge,  in 
1775  I  received  monies  afterwards  on  private  account  in 
1777,  and  since  which  (except  small  sums  that  I  had  occa- 
sion to  apply  to  private  uses)  were  all  expended  in  the  pub- 
lick  service  ;  through  hurry  I  suppose,  and  the  perplexity  of 
business  (for  I  know  not  how  else  to  account  for  the  deficien- 
cy) I  have  omitted  to  charge  the  same,  whilst  every  dedit 
against  me  is  here  credited.    Julij  1,  1783," 


324  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1783. 

principal  officers  of  the  army,  the  French  Consul 
General,  and  a  large  body  of  respectable  citizens 
were  admitted  to  the  floor  of  the  Hall.  The  mem- 
bers of  Congress,  representing  the  sovereignty  of 
the  nation,  were  seated  and  covered.  At  twelve 
o'clock,  General  Washington  was  introduced  and 
conducted  to  a  chair.  After  a  short  interval  the 
Secretary  commanded  silence.  The  President  then 
informed  the  General,  *'  that  the  United  States  in 
Congress  assembled,  were  prepared  to  receive  his 
communications."  With  dignity  of  manner  suited 
to  the  occasion,  he  arose  and  addressed  them  : 
*'  Mr.  President, 

^'  The  great  events,  on  which  my  resignation  de- 
pended,  having  at  length  taken  place,  I  have  nov/ 
the  honour  of  offering  my  sincere  congratulations  to 
Congress,  and  of  presenting  myself  before  them  to 
surrender  into  their  hands  the  trust  committed  to 
me,  and  to  claim  the  indulgence  of  retiring  from  ihe 
service  of  my  country. 

*'  Happy  in  the  confirmation  of  our  independence 
and  sovereignty,  and  pleased  with  the  opportunity 
afforded  the  United  States  of  becoming  a  respecta- 
ble nation,  I  resign,  with  satisfaction,  the  appoint- 
ment 1  accepted  with  diffidence  ;  a  diffidence  in  my 
abilities  to  accomplish  so  arduous  a  task,  which, 
however,  was  superceded  by  a  confidence  in  the 
rectitude  of  our  cause,  the  support  of  the  supreme 
power  of  the  Union,  and  the  patronage  of  Heaven. 

"  The  successful  termination  of  the  war  has  veri- 
fied the  most  sanguine  expectations  ;  and  my  grat- 
itude for  the  interposition  of  Providence,  and  the 


1783.]  LIFE    Of    WASHINGTON.  325 

assistance  I  have  received  from  my  countrymen,  in- 
creases with  every  review  of  the  momentous  contest. 

"  While  I  repeat  my  obhgations  to  the  army  in 
general,  I  should  do  injustice  to  my  own  feelings 
not  to  acknowledge,  in  this  place,  the  peculiar  ser- 
vices and  distinguished  merits  of  the  gentlemen  \\  ho 
have  been  attached  to  my  person  during  the  war. 
It  was  impossible  the  choice  of  confidential  officers 
to  compose  my  family  should  have  been  more  for- 
tunate. Permit  me,  sir,  to  recommend  in  particu- 
lar, those  who  have  continued  in  the  service  to  the 
present  moment,  as  worthy  of  the  favourable  notice 
and  patronage  of  Congress. 

"  I  consider  it  as  an  indispensable  duty  to  close 
this  last  solemn  act  of  my  official  life,  by  commending 
the  interests  of  our  dearest  country,  to  the  protection 
of  Almighty  God,  and  those  who  have  the  superin- 
tendance  of  them  to  his  holy  keeping. 

''  Having  now  finished  the  work  assigned  me, 
I  retire  from  the  great  theatre  of  action,  and  bidding 
an  affi^ctionate  farewell  to  this  august  body,  under 
whose  orders  I  have  so  long  acted,  I  here  offer  my 
commission,  and  take  my  leave  of  all  the  employ- 
ments of  publick  life." 

Having  advanced  to  the  chair  and  delivered  the 
President  his  Commission,  he  received  from  him  the 
the  following  reply : 

*'   SIR, 

"  The  United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  re- 
ceive, with  emotions  too  affecting  for  utterance,  the 
solemn  resignation  of  the  authorities  under  which 
you  have  led  their  troops  with  success,  through  a 
perilous  and  a  doubtful  war. 


526  XIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1783. 

"  Called  upon  by  your  country  to  defend  its  in- 
vaded rights,  you  accepted  the  sacred  charge,  be- 
fore it  had  formed  aUiances,  and  whilst  it  was  with- 
out funds  or  a  government  to  support  you. 

"  You  have  conducted  the  great  military  contest 
with  wisdom  and  fortitude,  invariably  regarding  the 
rights  of  the  civil  power,  through  all  disasters  and 
changes.  You  have  by  the  love  and  confidence  of 
your  fellow  citizens,  enabled  them  to  display  their 
martial  genius,  and  transmit  their  fame  to  posterity. 
You  have  persevered,  till  these  United  States,  aid- 
ed by  a  magnanimous  king  and  nation,  have  been 
enabled  under  a  just  Providence,  to  close  the  war  in 
freedom,  safety,  and  independence  ;  on  which  hap- 
py event,  we   sincerely  join  you  in  congratulations. 

"  Having  defended  the  standard  of  liberty  in 
this  new  world :  Having  taught  a  lesson  useful  to 
those,  who  inflict,  and  to  those  who  feel  oppression, 
you  retire  from  the  great  theatre  of  action,  with  the 
blessings  of  your  fellow  citizens  ;  but  the  glory  of 
your  virtues  will  not  terminate  with  your  military 
command  ;  it  will  continue  to  animate  remotest 
ages. 

"  We  feel,  with  you,  our  obligations  to  the  army 
in  general,  and  will  particularly  charge  ourselves  with 
the  interests  of  those  confidential  officers,  who  have 
attended  your  person  to  this  affecting  moment. 

"  We  join  you  in  commending  the  interests  of 

our  dearest  country  to  the  protection  of  Almighty 

I    God,   beseeching  him  to  dispose  the  hearts  and 

minds  of  its  citizens,  to  improve  the  opportunity 

afforded  them  of  becoming  a  happy  and  respectable 


1783.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  327 

nation.  And  for  you,  we  address  to  him  our  earn- 
est prayers,  that  a -life  so  beloved,  may  be  fostered 
with  all  his  care  ;  that  your  days  may  be  happy  as 
tliey  have  been  illustrious  ;  and  that  he  will  finally 
give  you  that  reward  which  this  world  cannot  give." 

The  General  immediately  retired  from  the  hall 
of  Congress.  The  minds  of  the  spectators  were 
deeply  impressed  by  the  scene.  The  recollection 
of  the  circumstances  of  the  country  at  the  time  the 
commission  was  accepted,  the  events  that  had  since 
taken  place,  and  the  glorious  issue  of  the  conflict 
conspired  to  give  the  scene  the  most  lively  interest. 

His  country  being  exalted  to  the  dignity  of  a 
sovereign  and  independent  nation,  General  Wash- 
ington with  great  satisfaction  resigned  the  ar- 
duous duties  and  high  responsibility  of  his  military 
command.  He  repaired  to  Mount  Vernon,  in  the 
delightful  prospect  of  spending  the  residue  of  his 
days  in  the  bosom  of  domestick  life. 

With  an  immaculate  character  he  had  passed 
through  all  the  complicated  transactions  of  a  revo- 
lutionary war  ;  and  had  established  an  immortal  repu- 
tation as  a  soldier  and  a  patriot,  throughout  the  civ- 
ilized world.  To  his  retirement  he  carried  the  pro- 
found veneration  and  most  lively  affection  of  his 
grateful  countrymen.  In  the  estimation  of  his 
friends,  the  measure  of  his  honour  was  full.  The 
extent  of  their  wishes  was,  that  no  unpropitious  e- 
vent  might  take  place  to  tarnish  the  lustre  of  his 
reputation  ;  but  that  in  peace  he  might  descend  in- 
to the  gra\'e,  with  his  laurel  crown  unfaded  on  his 
head. 


528 


LIFE    OF     WASHINOTOW.  [1784. 


CHAPTER  X. 

General  Washing-Ton  in  Retirement....  His  Pur  suits. ...Votei 
of  Congress  and  of  the  Legislature  of  Virginia  respecting 
him. ...His  Visitors  and  Correspondents. ...His  Plans  to  iin- 
prove  the  A'avigation  of  the  Potomack  and  James*  Rivers.... 
Declines  the  grant  of  Virginia.... His  Advice  to  the  Cincin- 
nati....State  of  Publick  Affairs.... National  Convention.... Gen- 
eral  Washinct'on  its  President. ...Federal  Co7istitution  re- 
commended  and  adopted.. ..General  Washinct'on  requested 
to  consent  to  admi7iister  the  Government. ...He  is  chosen  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States... .Sets  out  for  the  Seat  of  Govern- 
ment— Attention  shown  him  on  his  Joui-ney....His  Reception 
at  JSfetv  York. 

1784.  1  EACE  being  restored  to  his  country 
upon  the  broad  basis  of  Independence,  General 
Washington  with  supreme  delight  retired  to  the 
pursuits  of  private  life.  In  a  letter  to  Governour 
Clinton,  written  three  days  after  his  arrival  at  Mount 
Vernon,  he  thus  expressed  the  grateful  feelings  of 
his  heart  on  being  relieved  from  the  weight  of  his 
publick  station.  "  The  scene  is  at  length  closed. 
I  feel  myself  eased  of  a  load  of  publick  care,  and 
hope  to  spend  the  remainder  of  my  days  in  cultivat- 
ing the  affections  of  good  men,  and  in  the  practice 
of  the  domestick  virtues." 

This  sentiment  was  more   fully  expressed  to 
the    Marquis  La  Fayette,      *'  I   have    become  a 


1784.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  329^ 

private  citizen  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomack, 
and  under  the  shadow  of  my  own  vine  and  own 
fig  tree,  free  from  the  bustle  of  a  camp,  and  the 
busy  scenes  of  publick  lite,  I  am  solacing  myself' 
with  those  tranquil  enjoyments,  of  which  the  soldier 
who  is  ever  in  pursuit  of  fame,  the  statesman  whose 
watchful  days  and  sleepless  nights  are  spent  in  de- 
vising schemes  to  promote  the  \vclfare  of  his  outi, 
perhaps  the  ruin  of  other  countries  (as  if  the  globe 
was  insufficient  for  us  all)  and  the  courtier  who  is 
always  watching  the  countenance  of  his  Prince  in 
the  hope  of  catching  a  gracious  smile,  can  have  verV" 
little  conception.  I  have  not  only  retired  from  all 
publick  employments,  but  am  retiring  within  my- 
self, and  shall  he  able  to  view  the  solitary  walk  and 
tread  the  paths  of  private  life  with  heart  felt  satisfac- 
tion. Envious  of  none,  I  am  determined  to  be 
pleased  with  all ;  and  this,  my  dear  friend,  beinp*  the 
order  of  my  march,  I  will  move  doVVn  the  stream  of 
life,  until  I  sleep  with  my  fathers." 

But  delighted  as  he  was  with  his  domestick  en- 
joyments, he  found  it  to  be  the  work  of  time  to  di- 
vest himself  of  the  feelings  and  habits  formed  in  his 
publick  station.  "  1  am  just  beginning,"  said  he 
in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  "  to  experience  the  ease  and 
freedom  from  publick  cares,  which  however  desira- 
ble, takes  some  time  to  realize  ;  for  strange  as  it 
may  seem,  it  is  nevertheless  true,  that  it  was  not 
until  lately  I  could  get  the  better  of  my  usual  cus- 
tom of  ruminating  as  soon  as  I  awoke  in  the  morn- 
ing, on  the  business  of  the  ensuing  day  ;  and  of  ni^ 
surprise  at  finding,  after  revolving  many  things  in 

T  X 


S30  I-IPE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1784. 

my  mind,  that  I  was  no  longer  a  publick  man,  or 
had  any  thing  to  do  with  publick  transactions.  I 
feel,  now  however,  as  I  conceive  a  wearied  traveller 
must  do,  who,  after  treading  many  a  painful  step  with 
a  heavy  burden  on  his  shoulders,  is  eased  of  the  latter, 
having  reached  the  haven  to  which  all  the  former 
were  directed,  and  from  his  housetop  is  looking  back 
and  tracing  with  an  eager  eye,  the  meanders  by 
which  he  escaped  the  quicksands  and  mires  which 
lay  in  his  way,  and  into  which  none  but  the  all- 
powerful  Guide  and  Dispenser  of  human  events 
could  have  prevented  his  falling." 

Soon  after  the  proclamation  of  peace,  Congress 
unanimously  resolved  to  erect  at  the  place  which 
should  be  established  as  the  permanent  seat  of  gov- 
ernment, an  equestrian  statue  of  Gen,  Washing- 
ton. This  resolution,  however,  has  not  yet  been 
carried  into  effect. 

Virginia  also  bore  an  honourable  testimony  of 
the  sense  entertained  of  the  services  of  her  distin- 
guished citizen.  In  a  spacious  area  in  the  centre 
of  the  capitol  of  this  state,  she  erected  a  marble 
statue  of  him,  with  the  following  inscription  on  its 
pedestal. 

"The  General  Assembly  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Virginia  have  caused  this  statue  to  be  erected  as 
a  monument  of  affection  and  gratitude  to  GEORGE 
WASHINGTON,  who,  uniting  in  the  endowments 
of  the  HERO  the  virtues  of  the  PATRIOT,  and 
exerting  both  in  the  establishment  of  the  liberties  of 
his  country,  has  rendered  his  name  dear  to  his  fel- 
low citizens,  and  given  the  world  an  immortal  ex- 
ample of  true  glory." 


1784.]  LIJE    OF    WASHINGTON,  531 

In  addition  to  these  expressions  of  publick  vener- 
ation, innumerable  addresses  from  literary  and  oth- 
er incorporations  were  presented  to  him,  which,  in 
ardent  language,  expressed  the  veneration  univer- 
sally felt  for  his  character,  and  the  admiration  en- 
tertained for  his  services.  His  well  balanced  mind 
bore  these  publick  and  private  honours  without  a 
symptom  of  vanity  or  pride. 

The  pursuits  of  General  Washington  at  this 
period  were  a  renewal  of  habits,  formed  at  an  earlier 
part  of  life,  and  a  recurrence  to  employments  in 
which  he  ever  took  delight  ;  and  he  experienced 
nothing  of  that  dissatisfaction  and  tedium  of  which 
gentlemen  often  complain,  who  leave  the  cares  of  a 
publick  station  for  the  silent  scenes  of  retirement. 
The  improvement  of  American  husbandry  engaged 
his  close  attention,  and  in  the  prosecution  of  plans 
adapted  to  this  purpose,  he  entered  into  a  corres- 
pondence with  Mr.  Arthur  Young,  and  other  dis- 
tinguished European  agriculturists.  The  result 
of  their  information,  and  of  his  own  experience, 
he  applied,  to  amend  his  farming  implements,  to 
improve  his  breed  of  cattle,  and  in  various  experi- 
ments, suited  to  the  soil  he  cultivated.  The  plans 
which  succeeded  with  hini,  he  recommended  to  the 
farmers  around  him. 

But  even  in  the  shade  of  Mount  Vernon,  the 
time  of  General  Washington  was  not  wholly  at 
his  own  disposal.  Every  foreigner  of  distinction 
who  visited  the  United  States  was  urgent  for  an  in- 
troduction to  the  late  Commander  in  Chief ;  and 
«very  American  of  any  consequence,  who  was  about 


332  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1784. 

to  cross  the  Atlantic,  was  ambitious  to  obtain  let- 
ters from  him  to  celebrated  characters  in  Europe. 
With  numbers  of  the  officers  of  the  late  army,  with 
many  of  the  political  characters  of  his  own  country 
and  with  several  eminent  individuals  of  Europe,  he 
held  a  correspondence.  Ceremonious  visitors  and 
officious  correspondents  became  oppressive  to  him» 
and  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  he  thus  complained  of  the 
burden  of  them.  "  It  is  not,  my  dear  Sir,  the  let- 
ters of  my  friends  which  give  me  trouble,or  add  ought 
to  my  perplexity.  I  receive  them  with  pleasure, 
and  pay  as  much  attention  to  them  as  my  avocations 
will  permit.  It  is  references  to  old  m.atters  with 
which  I  have  nothing  to  do  ;  applications  which  often 
times  cannot  be  complied  with  ;  inquiries  to  satisfy 
which  would  employ  the  pen  of  an  historian  ;  letters 
of  compliment,  as  unmeaning,  perhaps,  as  they  are 
troublesome,  but  which  must  be  attended  to ;  and 
the  common  place  business,  which  employ  my  pen 
and  my  time,  often  disagreeably.  Indeed  these, 
with  company,  deprive  me  of  exercise  ;  and  unless 
I  can  obtain  relief,  must  be  productive  of  disagreea- 
ble consequences.  Already,  I  begin  to  feel  their  ef- 
fects. Heavy  and  painful  oppressions  of  the  head, 
and  other  disagreeable  sensations  often  trouble  me. 
I  am  therefore  determined  to  employ  some  person 
who  shall  ease  me  of  the  drudgery  of  this  business. 

To  correspond  with  those  I  love  is  among 

my  highest  gratifications.  Letters  of  friendship  re- 
quire no  study  ;  the  communications  they  contain 
flow  with  ease  ;  and  allowances  are  expected  and 
are  made.     But  this  is  not  the  case  with  those  which 


1784.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  333 

require  research,   consideration  and  recollection." 
At  length  he  engaged  a  young  gentleman  of  talents 
and  education,  who  relieved  him  from  a  great  part  of 
these  irksome  attentions. 

The  patriotick  mind  of  General  Washington 
Gould  not  however  be  engrossed  by  his  own  concerns. 
In  his  retirement,  he  with  solicitude  watched  over  the 
interests  of  his  country.  The  improvement  of  its 
inland  navigation  early  engaged  his  reflections. 
Plans  which  the  war  had  interrupted,  were  now  re- 
sumed upon  an  enlarged  scale.  This  year  he  visit- 
ed the  western  country  as  far  as  Pittsburg,  and  hav- 
ing collected  the  necessary  information,  he  opened 
his  scheme  to  Mr.  Harrison,  then  Governour  of  Vir- 
ginia. This  was  to  render  the  rivers  Potomack 
and  James  navigable  as  high  as  practicable  ;  to  take 
accurate  surveys  of  the  country  between  these  rivers 
and  the  streams  which  empty  into  the  Ohio,  and 
find  the  most  advantageous  portages  between  them ; 
to  survey  the  waters  west  of  the  Ohio,  which  empty 
into  the  lakes ;  and  to  open  such  inland  navigation 
between  these  waters,  as  would  secure  the  trade  of 
the  western  country  to  Virginia  and  Maryland.  '  'Na- 
ture," he  observed  *'  haol  made  such  an  ample  display 
of  her  bounties  in  those  regions,  that  the  more  the 
country  was  explored  the  more  it  would  rise  in  esti- 
mation." He  was  persuaded  that  Pennsylvania  and 
New  York  would  adopt  measures,  to  direct  the  trade 
of  that  country  to  their  sea  ports,  and  he  was  anxious 
that  his  native  state  should  seasonably  avail  herself  of 
the  advantages  she  possessed  to  secure  her  share  in  it. 


534t  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  []1784» 

*'  I  am  not,"  he  declared,  "  for  discouraging  the 
exertions  of  any  state  to  draw  the  commerce  of  the 
western  country  to  its  seaports.  The  more  com- 
munications we  open  to  it,  the  closer  we  bind  that 
rising  world,  (for  it  indeed  may  be  so  called)  to  our 
interests,  and  the  greater  strength  shall  we  acquire 
by  it.  Those  to  whom  nature  affords  the  best  com- 
munication, will,  if  they  are  wise,  enjoy  the  great- 
est share  of  the  trade.  All  I  would  be  understood 
to  mean  therefore,  is,  that  the  gifts  of  Providence 
may  not  be  neglected."  But  political  motives  had 
higher  influence  in  this  transaction  than  commercial. 
"  I  need  not  remark  to  you,  Sir,"  said  he  in  his 
communication  to  thcGovernour  of  Virginia,  "  that 
the  flanks  and  rear  of  the  United  States  are  possess- 
ed by  other  powers,  and  formidable  ones  too ;  nor 
need  1  press  the  necessity  of  applying  the  cement 
of  interest  to  bind  all  parts  of  the  union  together 
by  indissoluble  bonds ;  especially  of  binding  that 
part  of  it  which  lies  immediately  west  of  us,  to  the 
middle  states.  For  what  ties,  let  me  ask,  should 
we  have  upon  those  people,  how  entirely  unconnect- 
ed with  them  shall  we  be,  and  what  troubles  may 
we  not  apprehend,  if  the  Spaniards  on  their  right, 
and  Great  Britain  on  their  left,  instead  of  throwing 
impediments  in  their  way  as  they  now  do,  should 
hold  out  lures  for  their  trade  and  alliance  ?  When 
they  get  strength,  which  will  be  sooner  than  most 
people  conceive,  what  will  be  the  consequence  of 
their  having  formed  close  commercial  connexions 
with  both,  or  either  of  those  powers,  it  needs  not  in 
my  opinion,  the  ^ift  of  prophecy  to  foretell. 


1784.]  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  S3f 

**  The  western  settlers  (I  speak  now  from  my 
own  observations)  stand  as  it  were  upon  a  pivot. 
The  touch  of  a  feather  would  turn  them  any  way. 
Until  the  Spaniards  (very  unwisely  as  I  think)  threw 
difficulties  in  their  way,  they  looked  down  the  Missi- 
sippi ;  and  they  looked  that  way  for  no  other  reason 
than  because  they  could  gently  glide  down  the 
stream ;  without  considering  perhaps  the  fatigues 
of  the  voyage  back  again,  and  the  time  necessary 
for  its  performance ;  and  because  they  have  no 
other  means  of  coming  to  us,  but  by  a  long  land 
transportation  through  unimproved  roads." 

These  recommendations  were  not  lost.  Under 
the  patronage  of  the  governments  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  two  companies  were  formed  for  opening 
the  navigation  of  the  Potomack  and  the  James.  Of 
both  which  Gen.  Washington  consented  to  be 
the  president.  The  Legislature  of  Virginia  by  a 
resolution  v/hich  passed  unanimously,  directed  the 
treasurer  of  tlie  state  to  subscribe  for  one  hundred 
and  fifty  shares  in  each  company  for  the  benefit  of 
General  Washington.  The  appropriation  vva^ 
made  in  a  manner  the  most  affecting  to  a  noble 
mind.  The  assembly  expressed  a  Avish,  that  while 
the  improvements  of  their  inland  navigation  were 
monuments  of  his  glory,  they  might  also  be  monu- 
ments of  his  country's  gratitude.  The  donation 
placed  him  in  a  very  delicate  and  embarrassed  situ- 
ation. The  feelings  excited  by  this  generous  and 
honourable  act  of  his  state,  he  fully  expressed  to 
the  friend,  who  informed  him  of  the  passage  of  the 
bill.     *'  It  is  not  easy  for  me  to  decide  by  which 


336  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTOW.  [1784. 

my  mind  was  most  affected  upon  the  receipt  of  your 

letter  of  the  sixth  instant surprise   or  gratitude. 

Both  were  greater  than  I  had  words  to  express. 
The  attention  and  good  wishes  which  the  assembly 
has  evidenced  by  their  act  for  vesting  in  me  one 
hundred  and  fifty  shares  in  the  navigation  of  the 
rivers  Potomack  and  James,  is  more  than  mere  com- 
pliment.... There  is  an  unequivocal  and  substantial 
meaning  annexed.     But,  believe  me  sir,  no  circum- 
stance has   happened  since  I  left  the  walks  of  pub- 
lick  life  which  has  so  much  embarrassed  me.     On 
the  one  hand,  I  consider  this  act,  as  I  have  already 
observed,  as  a  noble   and   unequivocal   proof  of  the 
good  opinion,   the  aifection,  and  disposition  of  my 
country  to  serve  me  ;  and  I  should  be  hurt,  if  by- 
declining  the  acceptance  of  it,  my  refusal  should  be 
construed  into  disrespect,  or  the  smallest  slight  up- 
on the  general   intention  of  the  Legislature  ;  or  that 
an  ostentatious  display  of  disinterestedness,  or  pub- 
lick  virtue,  was  the  source  of  refusal. 

'*  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  really  my  wish  to 
have  my  mind  and  my  actions,  which  are  the  result 
of  reflection,  as  free  and  independent  as  the  air,  that 
I  may  be  more  at  liberty  (in  things  which  my  op- 
portunities and  experience  have  brought  me  to  the 
knowledge  of)  to  express  my  sentiments,  and  if  ne- 
cessary, to  suggest  what  may  occur  to  me,  under  the 
fullest  conviction  that  although  my  judgment  may 
be  arraigned,  there  will  be  no  suspicion  that  sinis- 
ter motives  had  the  smallest  influence  in  the  sugges- 
tion. Not  content  then  with  the  bare  conscious- 
ness of  my  having  in  all  this  navigation  business, 


1784-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  3Sf 

acted  upon  the  clearest  conviction  of  the  political 
importance  oflhe  measure.  I  would  wish  that  eve- 
ry individual  who  may  hear  that  it  was  a  favourite 
plan  of  mine,  may  know  also,  that  I  had  no  other 
motive  for  promoting  it,  than  the  advantage  of  which 
I  conceived  it  would  be  productive  to  the  union  at 
large,  and  to  this  state  in  particular,  by  cementing 
the  eastern  and  western  territory  together,  at  the 
same  time  that  it  will  give  vigour  and  increase  to 
our  commerce,  and  be  a  convenience  to  our  citi- 
zens. 

*'  How  would  this  matter  be  viewed  then  by  the 
eye  of  the  world,  and  what  opinion  would  be  form- 
ed when  it  comes  to  be  related  that,  that  G***** 
W********n  exerted  himself  to  effect  this  work, 
and  that  G*****W*^******n  has  received /w^w(y 
thousand  dollars ,  and  ^ve  thousand  pounds  sterling 
of  the  publick  money  as  an  interest  therein  ?  Would 
not  this  (if  I  am  entitled  to  any  merit  for  the  part  I 
have  performed,  and  without  it  there  is  no  founda- 
tion for  the  act)  deprive  me  of  the  principal  thing 
which  is  laudable  in  my  conduct  ?  Would  it  not  in 
some  respects  be  considered  in  the  same  light  as  a 
pension  ?  And  would  not  the  apprehension  of  this 
induce  me  to  offer  my  sentiments  in  future  with  the 
more  reluctance  ?  In  a  word  under  whatever  pre- 
tence, and  however  customary  these  gratuities  may 
be  in  other  countries,  should  I  not  thenceforward  be 
considered  as  a  dependent  ?  One  moment's  thought 
of  which  would  give  roe  more  pain  than  I  should 
receive  pleasure  from  the  product  of  all  the  tolls, 
was  every  farthing  of  them  vested  in  me." 

U   ¥ 


538  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1784-7. 

After  great  deliberation,  he  determined  to  appro- 
priate the  shares  to  such  publick  uses  as  the  Legisla- 
ture should  approve.  In  communicating  this  deter- 
mination through  the  Governour,  to  the  General 
Assembly,  he  begged  him  to  assure  them  that  he 
was  *'  filled  on  the  occasion  with  every  sentiment 
which  can  flow  from  a  heart,  warm  with  love  to  his 
country,  sensible  to  every  token  of  its  approbation 
and  affection,  and  solicitous  to  testify  in  every  in- 
stance a  respectful  attention  to  its  wishes."  Ac- 
cording to  his  desire,  the  shares  were  appropriated 
to  the  support  of  a  college  in  the  vicinity  of  each  of 
those  rivers. 

The  Cincinnati  had  in  their  original  constitution 
secured  perpetuity  of  existence  to  their  society. 
The  eldest  male  posterity  of  the  officers  were  to  suc- 
ceed to  the  places  of  their  fathers,  and  in  the  failure 
of  them,  a  collateral  branch  might  be  introduced. 
Individuals  also  of  the  respective  states,  distinguished 
for  their  talents  and  patriotism,  might  be  admitted 
as  honorary  members  for  life.  In  this  part  of  the 
institution,  some  American  patriots  thought  they 
perceived  the  seeds  of  an  order  of  nobility,  and  pub- 
lick  jealousy  was  excited  against  the  society.  Gen- 
eral Washington,  their  President,  conceived  that 
if  popular  prejudices  could  not  be  removed,  the  so- 
ciety ought  "  to  yield  to  them  in  a  degree,  and  not 
sufl:er  that  which  was  intended  for  the  best  of  pur- 
poses to  produce  a  bad  one."  On  full  inquiry, 
he  found  that  objections  to  the  institution  were  gen- 
eral throughout  the  United  States,  under  the  appre- 
hension that  it  would  prove  dangerous  to  publick 


1784-7.]]  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  339 

liberty,  he  therefore  exerted  his  influence  among 
the  officers  to  induce  them  to  drop  the  offensive 
part  of  the  institution,  and  at  the  annual  meeting  in 
May  1787,  the  hereditary  principle,  and  the  power 
to  adopt  honorary  members,  Avere  expunged  from 
the  constitution.  This  modification  fully  removed 
the  publick  apprehension. 

Experience  proved  the  articles  under  which  the 
United  States  originally  confederated  to  be  inade- 
quate to  the  purposes  of  national  government ;  and 
wise  and  good  men  in  every  part  of  the  union  anx- 
iously looked  forward  to  a  crisis  in  publick  affairs. 
Many  of  General  Washington's  friends  intimated 
to  him  that  the  occasion  would  call  for  his  personal 
influence.  Mr.  Jay,  in  letters  written  in  the  spring 
and  summer  of  1786,  with  feeling  described  the 
state  of  the  country,  *'  You  have  wisely  retired  from 
publick  employments,  and  calmly  view  from  the 
temple  of  fame,  the  various  exertions  of  that  sover- 
eign ty  and  independence,  which  Providence  has  en- 
abled you  to  be  so  greatly  and  gloriously  instru- 
mental in  securing  to  your  country,  yet  I  am  per- 
suaded that  you  cannot  view  them  with  the  eye  of 
an  unconcerned  spectator. 

"  Experience  has  pointed  out  errours  in  our  na- 
tional government  which  call  for  correction,  and 
which  threaten  to  blast  the  fruit  we  expected  from 
the  tree  of  liberty.  An  opinion  begins  to  prevail 
that  a  general  convention  for  revising  the  articles  of 
confederation  would  be  expedient.  Whether  the 
people  are  yet  ripe  for  such  a  measure,  or  whether 
the  system  proposed  to  be  obtained  by  it  is  only  to 


340  tIFE    or    WASHINGTON.         [1784-7. 

be  expected  from  calamity  and  commotion  is  diffi- 
cult to  ascertain. 

"  I  think  we  are  in  a  delicate  situation,  and  a  va- 
riety of  considerations  and  circumstances  give  me 
uneasiness.  It  is  in  contemplation  to  take  meas- 
ures for  forming  a  general  convention.  The  plan 
is  not  matured.  If  it  should  be  well  connected 
and  take  effect,  I  am  fervent  in  my  wishes  that  it 
may  comport  with  the  line  of  life  you  have  marked 
out  for  yourself,  to  favour  your  country  with  your 
counsels  on  such  an  important  and  single  occasion. 

"  Our  affairs  seem  to  lead  to  some  crisis,  some- 
thing that  1  cannot  foresee  or  conjecture.  1  am  un- 
easy and  apprehensive,  more  so  than  during  the  war. 
Then  we  had  a  fixed  object,  and  though  the  means 
and  time  of  obtaining  it  were  problematical,  yet  I 
did  firmly  believe  that  we  should  ultimately  succeed, 
because  I  did  firmly  believe  that  justice  was  with 
us.  The  case  is  now  altered.  We  are  going  and 
doing  wrong,  and  therefore  I  look  forward  to  evils 
and  calamities,  but  without  being  able  to  guess  at 
the  instrument,  nature,  or  measure  of  them. 

"  That  Me  shall  again  recover,  and  things  again 
go  well,  I  have  no  doubt.  Such  a  variety  of  cir- 
cumstances would  not,  almost  miraculously,  have 
combined  to  liberate  and  make  us  a  nation,  for  tran- 
scient  and  unimportant  purposes.  I  therefore  be- 
lieve that  we  are  yet  to  become  a  great  and  respecta- 
ble people  ;  but  when  or  how,  only  the  spirit  of 
prophecy  can  discern. 

*'  What  I  most  fear  is,  that  the  better  kind  of 
people  (by  which  I  mean  the  people  who  are  orderly 


H 


1784-7.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  341 

and  industrious,  who  are  content  wivh  their  situa- 
tions, and  not  uneasy  in  their  circumstances)  will 
be  led  by  the  insecurity  of  property,  the  loss  of  con- 
fidence in  their  rulers,  and  the  want  of  pubhck  faidi 
and  rectitude,  to  consider  the  charms  of  liberty  as 
imaginary  and  delusive.  A  state  of  uncertainty  and 
fluctuation  must  disgust  and  alarm  such  men,  and 
prepare  their  minds  for  almost  any  change  that  may 
promise  them  quiet  and  security." 

To    these   weighty    communications   General 
Washington  replied. 

"  Your  sentiments  that  our  affairs  are  drawing 
rapidly  to  a  crisis,  accord  with  my  own.  What  the 
event  will  be,  is  also  beyond  the  reach  of  my  fore- 
sight. We  have  errours  to  correct  ;  we  have  pro- 
bably had  too  good  an  opinion  of  human  nature,  in 
forming  our  confederation.  Experience  has  taught 
us  that  men  will  not  adopt  and  carry  into  execution, 
measures  the  best  calculated  for  their  own  good, 
without  the  intervention  of  coercive  power.  I  do 
not  conceive  we  can  exist  long  as  a  nation,  without 
lodging,  somewhere,  a  power  which  will  pervade  the 
whole  Union  in  as  energetick  a  manner,  as  the  author- 
ity of  the  state  governments  extends  over  the  several 
states.  To  be  fearful  of  investing  Congress,  con- 
stituted as  that  body  is,  with  ample  authorities  for 
national  purposes,  appears  to  me  the  very  climax  of 
popular  absurdity  and  madness.  Could  Congress 
exert  them  for  the  detriment  of  the  people,  without 
injuring  themselves  in  an  equal  or  greater  propor- 
tion ?  Are  not  their  interests  inseparably  connected 
with  those  of  their  constituents  ?  By  the  rotation  of 


342  LIFE    OF      WASHINGTON.  [1784-7. 

appointments,  must  they  not  mingle  frequently  with 
the  mass  of  citizens  ?  Is  it  not  rather  to  be  appre- 
hended, if  they  were  not  possessed  of  the  powers 
before  described,  that  the  individual  members  would 
be  induced  to  use  them,  on  many  occasions,  very 
timidly  and  inefficaciously,  for  fear  of  losing  their 
popularity  and  future  election  ?  We  must  take  hu- 
man nature  as  we  find  it ;  perfection  falls  not  to  the 
share  of  mortals. 

*'  What  then  is  to  be  done  ?  Things  cannot  go 
on  in  the  same  strain  forever.  It  is  much  to  be  fear- 
ed, as  you  observe,  that  the  better  kind  of  people, 
being  disgusted  with  these  circumstances,  will  have 
their  minds  prepared  for  any  revolution  whatev- 
er. W^e  are  apt  to  run  from  one  extreme  to  an- 
other. To  anticipate  and  prevent  disastrous  con- 
tingencies, would  be  the  part  of  wisdom  and  patriot- 
ism. 

"  What  astonishing  changes  a  few  years  are  ca- 
pable of  producing  !  I  am  told  that  even  respecta- 
ble characters  speak  of  a  monarchical  form  of  gov- 
ernment without  horror.  From  thinking  proceeds 
speaking,  thence  to  acting  is  often  but  a  single  step. 
But  how  irrevocable  and  tremendous  !  what  a  tri- 
umph for  our  enemies  to  verify  their  predictions  ! 
what  a  triumph  for  the  advocates  of  despotism  to 
find  that  we  are  incapable  of  governing  ourselves, 
and  that  systems,  founded  on  the  basis  of  equal  lib- 
erty, are  merely  ideal  and  fallacious  !  W^ould  to 
God  that  wise  measures  may  be  taken  in  time  to  a- 
vert  the  consequences  we  have  but  too  much  reason 
to  apprehend. 


1784-7.]         I.IFE  or  Washington.  343 

"  Retired  as  I  am  from  the  world,  I  frankly  ac- 
knowledge I  cannot  feel  myself  an  unconcerned 
spectator.  Yet  having  happily  assisted  in  bringing 
the  ship  into  port,  and  having  been  fairly  discharg- 
ed, it  is  not  my  business  to  embark  again  on  the  sea 
of  troubles. 

*'  Nor  could  it  be  expected  that  my  sentiments 
and  opinions  would  have  much  weight  on  the  minds 
of  my  countrymen.  They  have  been  neglected, 
though  given  as  a  last  legacy  in  a  most  solemn  man- 
ner. I  then  perhaps  had  some  claims  to  publick  at- 
tention. I  consider  myself  as  having  none  at  pre- 
sent." 

When  the  plan  of  a  Convention  was  ripened,  and 
its  meeting  appointed  to  be  at  Philadelphia  in  May, 
1787,  an  influential  character  in  Virginia,  communi- 
cated to  General  Washington  the  intention  of 
that  state  to  elect  him  one  of  her  representatives,  on 
this  important  occasion.  He  explicitly  declined 
being  a  candidate,  yet  the  Legislature  placed  him  at 
the  head  of  her  delegation,  in  the  hope  that  mature 
reflection  would  induce  him  to  attend  upon  the  ser- 
vice. The  Governour  of  the  state,  Mr.  Randolph, 
informed  him  of  his  appointment,  by  the  following 
letter.  "  By  the  enclosed  act  you  will  readily  dis- 
cover that  the  Assembly  are  alarmed  at  the  storms 
which  threaten  the  United  States.  What  our  ene- 
mies have  foretold  seems  to  be  hastening  to  its  ac- 
complishment, and  cannot  be  frustrated  but  by  an 
instantaneous,  zealous  and  steady  union  among  the 
friends  of  the  federal  government.  To  you  I  need 
■not  press  our  present  dangers.      Tlie  ineflicacy  of 


344  LIFE    OP     WASHINGTON-.  [1784-7. 

Congi'css  you  haA'e  often  felt  in  your  official  charac- 
ter; the  increasing  languor  of  our  associated  repub- 
licks  you  hourly  see  ;  and  a  dissolution  would  be, 
I  know,  to  you,  a  source  of  the  deepest  mortification. 
I  freely  then  entreat  you  to  accept  the  unanimous 
appointment  of  the  General  Assembly  to  the  Conven- 
tion at  Philadelphia.  For  the  gloomy  prospect  still 
admits  one  ray  of  hope,  that  those  who  began,  car- 
ried on  and  consummated  the  revolution,  can  yet  re- 
store America  from  the  impending  ruin." 

*'  Sensible  as  I  am,"  said  the  General  in  his  an- 
swer, "  of  the  honour  conferred  on  me  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  this  commonwealth,  in  appointing 
me  one  of  the  deputies  to  a  Convention  proposed  to 
be  held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  in  May  next,  for 
the  purpose  of  revising  the  federal -constitution  ;  and 
desirous  as  I  am  on  all  occasions  of  testifying  a  ready 
obedience  to  the  calls  of  my  country.... yet  sir,  there 
exist  at  this  moment,  circumstances  which  I  am 
persuaded  will  render  this  fresh  instance  of  confi- 
dence incompatible  with  other  measures  which  I 
had  previously  adopted,  and  from  which  seeing  lit- 
tHe  prospect  of  disengaging  myself,  it  would  be  dis- 
ingenuous not  to  express  a  wish  that  some  other 
character  on  whom  greater  reliance  can  be  had, 
may  be  substituted  in  my  place,  the  probability  of 
my  non  attendance  being  too  great  to  continue  my 
appointment. 

"As  no  mind  can  be  more  deeply  impressed 
than  mine  is  wifh  the  critical  situation  of  our  affairs, 
resulting  in  a  great  measure  from  the  want  of  effi- 
cient powers  in  the  federal  head,  and  due  respect  to 


1787.1  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  345 

its  ordinances,  so  consequently  those  who  do  engage 
in  the  important  business  of  removing  these  defects, 
will  carry  with  them  every  good  wish  of  mine,  which 
the  best  dispositions  towards  their  obtainmcnt  can 
bestow." 

The  Governour  decHned  the  acceptance  of  his 
resignatioti  of  the  appointment,  and  begged  him  to 
suspend  his  determination  until  the  approach  of  the 
period  of  the  meeting  of  Convention,  that  his  final 
judgment  might  be  the  result  of  a  full  acquaintance 
with  all  circumstances. 

Thus  situated,  the  General  reviewed  the  subject, 
that  he  might  upon  thorough  deliberation  make  the 
decision  which  duty  and  patriotism  enjoined.  He 
had,  by  a  circular  letter  to  the  state  societies,  declin- 
ed being  reelected  the  President  of  the  Cincinnati, 
and  had  announced  that  he  should  not  attend  their* 
general  meeting  at  Philadelphia  on  the  next  May  ; 
and  he  apprehended,  that  if  he  attended  the  Conven- 
tion at  the  time  and  pluce  of  tlieir  meeting,  that 
he  should  give  offence  to  all  the  officers  of  the  late 
army  who  composed  this  body.  He  was  under  ap- 
prehension that  the  states  would  not  be  generally 
represented  on  this  occasion,  and  that  a  failure  in 
the  plan  would  diminish  the  personal  influence  of 
those  who  engaged  in  it.  Some  of  his  confidential 
friends  were  of  opinion  that  the  occasion  did  not  re- 
quire his  interposition  and  that  he  ought  to  reserve 
himself  for  a  state  of  things  which  would  unequivo- 
cally demand  his  agency  and  influence.  Even  on 
the  supposition  that  the  plan  should  succeed,  they 
thought  that  he  ought  not  to  engage  in  it ;  because 
w  w 


546  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  [1787. 

his  having  been  in  Convention  would  obligate  him 
to  make  exertions  to  carry  the  measures,  that  body 
might  recommend,  into  effect,  and  would  necessa- 
rily "sweep  him  into  the  tide  of  publick  aft'airs. " 
His  own  experience  since  the  close  of  tlie  revolu- 
tionary war  created  in  his  mind  serious  doubts, 
whether  the  respecti\'e  states  would  quietly  adopt 
any  system,  calculated  to  give  stability  and  vigour 
to  the  national  government.  "As  we  could  not," 
to  use  his  own  language,  "  remain  quiet  more  than 
three  or  four  years  in  times  of  peace,  under  the  con- 
stitutions of  our  ov\  n  choosing,  which  were  believed 
in  many  states  to  have  been  formed  with  delibera- 
tion and  wisdom,  I  see  little  prospect  either  of  our 
agreeing  on  any  other,  or  that  we  should  remain 
long  satisfied  under  it,  if  we  could.  Yet  I  would 
wish  any  thing  and  every  thing  essayed  to  prevent 
the  effusion  of  blood,  and  to  divert  the  humiliating 
and  contemptible  figure  we  are  about  to  make  in  the 
annals  of  mankind." 

These  considerations  operated  powerfully  to  con- 
firm him  in  the  opinion  first  formed,  not  to  attend 
the  Convention. 

On  the  other  hand,  he  realized  the  greatness  of 
the  publick  stake.  The  confederation  was  univer- 
sally considered  as  a  nullity.  The  advice  of  a  Con. 
vention,  composed  of  respectable  characters  from  ev- 
ery part  of  the  union,  would  probably  have  great  in- 
fluence  with  the  community,  whether  it  should  be 
to  amend  the  articles  of  the  old  government,  or  to 
form  a  new  constitution. 


1787.3  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON,  347 

Amidst  the  various  sentiments  which  at  this  time 
prevailed,  respecting  the  state  of  publick  affairs,  ma- 
ny entertained  the  supposition  that  the  "  times  must 
be  worse  before  they  could  be  better,"  and  that  the 
American  people  could  be  induced  to  establish  an 
efficient  and  liberal  national  government  only  by  the 
scourge  of  anarchy.  Some  seemed  to  think  that  the 
experiment  of  a  republican  government  in  Amer- 
ica, had  already  failed,  and  that  one  more  energet- 
ic, must  soon  by  violence  be  introduced.  General 
Washington  entertained  some  apprehension,  that 
his  declining  to  attend  theConvention  would  be  con- 
sidered as  a  dereliction  of  republican  principles. 

While  he  was  balancing  these  opposite  circum- 
stances in  his  mind,  the  insurrection  of  Massachu- 
setts occurred,  which  turned  the  scale  of  opinion  in 
favour  of  his  joining  the  Convention.  He  viewed 
this  event  as  awfully  alarming.  '•  For  God's  sake 
tell  me,"  said  he  in  a  letter  to  Colonel  Humphreys, 
"  what  is  the  cause  of  ail  these  commotions  ?  Do 
they  proceed  from  licentiousness,  British  influence 
disseminated  by  the  tories,  or  real  grievances  which 
admit  of  redress  ?  If  the  latter,  why  was  redress  de- 
layed until  the  publick  mind  had  become  so  much 
agitated  ?  If  the  former,  why  are  not  the  powers  of 
government  tried  at  once  ?  It  is  as  well  to  be  with- 
out as  not  to  exercise  them. 

To  General  Knox  and  other  friends,  similar  ap- 
prehensions  were  expressed.  "  I  feel  infinitely 
more  than  I  can  express  to  you,  for  the  disorders 
which  have  arisen  in  these  states.  Good  God  ! 
who  besides  a  tory  could  have  foreseen,  or  a  Briton 


348  LIFB    OF    WASHINGTON."  [I787i. 

have  predicted  them  ?  I  do  assure  you  that  even 
at  this  moment,  Avhen  I  reflect  upon  the  present  as- 
pect of  our  affairs,  it  seems  to  me  like  the  visions  of 
a  dream.  My  mind  can  scarcely  realize  it  as  a 
thing  in  actual  existence  :....So  strange,  so  wonder- 
ful, does  it  appear  tome.  In  this,  as  inmost  other 
matters,  we  are  too  slow.  When  this  spirit  first 
dawned,  it  might  probably  have  been  easily  check- 
ed ;  but  it  is  scarcely  within  the  reach  of  human  ken, 
at  this  moment,  to  say  when,  where,  or  how,  it  will 
terminate.  There  arc  combustibles  in  every  state, 
to  which  a  spark  might  set  fire.  In  bewailing,  which 
I  have  often  done  with  the  keenest  sorrow,  the  death 
of  our  much  lamented  friend  General  Greene,  I  have 
accompanied  my  regrets  of  late  with  a  query  wheth-*" 
er  he  would  not  have  preferred  such  an  exit,  to  the 
scenes  which  it  is  more  than  probable  many  of  his 

compatriots  may  live  to  bemoan." 

"  You  talk,  my  good  sir,  of  employing  influence 
to  appease  the  present  tumults  in  Massachusetts. 
I  know  not  where  that  influence  is  to  be  found ;  nor 
if  attainable,  that  it  would  be  a  proper  remedy  for 
these  disorders.  Influence  is  uot  goiicrnment.  Let 
us  have  a  government  by  which  our  lives,  liberties, 
and  properties  will  be  secured;  or  let  us  know  the 
worst  at  once.  Under  these  impressions  my  hum- 
ble opinion  is  that  there  is  a  call  for  decision.  Know 
then  precisely  what  the  insurgents  aim  at.  If  they 
have  real  grievances,  redress  them  if  possible ;  or  ac- 
knowledge the  justice  of  them,  and  your  inability  to 
do  it  in  the  present  moment.  If  they  have  not,  em- 
ploy the  force  of  the   government  against  them  at 


1787.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  345 

once.  If  this  is  inadequate,  all  will  be  convinced 
that  the  superstructure  is  bad,  or  wants  support.  To 
be  more  exposed  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  and  more 
contemptible  than  we  already  are,  is  hardly  possible. 
To  delay  one  or  the  other  of  these  expedients,  is  to 
exasperate  on  the  one  hand,  or  to  give  ccMifidence 
on  the  other,  and  will  add  to  their  numbers  ;  for, 
like  snow  balls,  such  bodies  increase  by  every 
movement,  unless  there  is  something  in  the  way  to 
obstruct  and  crumble  them,  before  their  weight  is 
too  great  and  irresistible. 

"  These  are  my  sentiments.  Precedents  are 
dangerous  things.  Let  the  reins  of  government  then 
be  braced,  and  held  with  a  steady  hand  ;  and  every 
violation  of  the  Constitution  be  reprehended.  If  de- 
fective, let  it  be  amended,  but  not  suflPered  to  be 
trampled  upon  while  it  has  an  existence." 

A  friend  having  intimated  by  letter  his  appre- 
hension, that  civil  discord  was  near,  in  v/hich  event 
he  would  be  obliged  to  act  a  publick  part,  or  to  leave 
the  continent.  **  It  is,"  said  the  General  in  re- 
ply, "  with  the  deepest  and  most  heartfelt  concern, 
I  perceive,  by  some  late  paragraphs  extracted  from 
the  Boston  papers,  that  the  insurgents  of  Massachu- 
setts, far  from  being  satisfied  with  the  redress  offered 
by  their  General  Court,  are  still  acting  in  open  viola- 
tion of  law  and  government,  and  have  obliged  the 
Chief  Magistrate,  in  a  decided  tone  to  call  upon  the 
militia  of  the  state  to  support  the  constitution. 

"  What,  gracious  God,  is  man  !  That  there 
should  be  such  inconsistency  and  perfidiousness  in 
his  conduct.     It  is  but  the  other  day,  that  we  were 


550  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1787. 

shedding  our  blood  to  obtain  the  constitutions  un- 
der which  we  live ;  constitutions  of  our  own  choice 
and  making  ;  and  now  we  are  unsheathing  the  sword 
to  overturn  them.  The  thing  is  so  unaccountable 
that  I  hardly  know  how  to  realize  it  ;  or  to  persuade 
myself  that  1  am  not  under  the  illusion  of  a  dream. 
My  mind,  previous  to  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  first  ultimo,  had  often  been  agitated  by  a  thought 
similar  to  the  one  you  expressed  respecting  a  friend 
of  yours ;  but  heaven  forbid  that  a  crisis  should 
come  when  he  shall  be  driven  to  the  necessity  of 
making  a  choice  of  either  of  the  alternatives  there 
mentioned." 

Having  learned  that  the  states  had  generally 
elected  their  representatives  to  the  Convention,  and 
Congress  having  given  its  sanction  to  it,  he  on  the 
28th  of  March  communicated  to  the  Governour  of 
Virginia,  his  consent  to  act  as  one  of  the  delegates 
of  his  state  on  this  important  occasion. 

On  the  second  Monday  in  May  1787,  the  dele- 
gates of  twelve  states  met  in  Convention  at  Pliladel- 
phia,  and  unanimously  elected  General  George 
Washington  their  President.  The  present  Con- 
stitution of  Government  of  the  United  States  was 
the  result  of  the  deliberations,  and  concessions  of 
this  venerable  body. 

Although  the  friends  of  General  Washington 
had  fully  acquiesced  in  the  propriety  of  his  retiring 
from  publick  life  at  the  close  of  the  revolutionary 
war,  yet  from  the  moment  of  the  adoption  of  the  Fed- 
eral Constitution,  all  eyes  were  directed  to  him  as 
the  first  President  of  the  United  States.      His  cor. 


1787.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  S51 

respondents  early  endeavoured  to  prepare  his  mind 
to  gi'atify  the  expectations  of  his  country.  Mr. 
Johnson.,  a  distinguished  patriot  of  Maryland,  wrote 
him,  "  We  cannot  do  without  you,  and  I  and  thou- 
sands more  can  explain  to  any  body  but  yourself 
why  we  cannot  do  without  you." 

The  struggle  between  inclination  and  duty  was 
long  and  severe.  His  feelings  on  this  occasion  ful- 
1}'^  appeared  in  the  letters  which  he  wrote  to  his 
friends  on  the  subject.  Colonel  Lee  then  a  member 
of  Congress,  communicating  to  General  Wash- 
ington the  measures  which  that  body  were  adopt- 
ing to  introduce  the  new  government,  thus  alludes  to 
the  presidency. 

*'  The  solemnity  of  the  moment,  and  its  applica- 
tion to  yourself,  have  fixed  my  mind  in  contempla- 
tions of  a  publick  and  a  personal  nature,  and  I  feel  an 
involuntar)'  impulse  which  I  cannot  resist,  to  com- 
municate, without  reserve  to  you  some  of  the  reflec- 
tions which  the  hour  has  produced.  Solicitous  for 
our  common  happiness  as  a  people,  and  convicted, 
as  I  continue  to  be,  that  our  peace  and  prosperity 
depend  on  the  proper  improvement  of  the  present  pe- 
riod, my  anxiety  is  extreme  that  the  new  govern- 
ment may  have  an  auspicious  beginning.  To  ef- 
fect this,  and  to  perpetuate  a  nation  formed  under 
your  auspices,  it  is  certain  you  will  again  be  called 
forth.  The  same  principles  of  devotion  to  the  good 
of  mankind,  which  have  invariably  governed  your 
conduct,  will  no  doubt  continue  to  rule  your  mind, 
however  opposite  their  consequences  may  be  to 
your  repose  and  happiness.     It  may  be  wrong,  but 


S52  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1788. 

I  cannot  suppress  in  my  wishes  for  national  felicitj 
a  due  regard  for  your  personal  fame  and  content. 

"  If  the  same  success  should  attend  your  efforts  on 
this  important  occasion  which  has  distinguished  you 
hitherto,  then,  to  be  sure,  you  will  have  spent  a  life 
which  Providence  rarely,  if  ever,  before  gave  to  the 
lot  of  man.  It  is  my  anxious  hope,  it  is  my  belief 
that  this  will  be  the  case  ;  but  all  things  are  uncer- 
tain, and  perhaps  nothing  more  so  than  political 
events. 

"  Without  you,  the  government  can  have  but  lit- 
tle chance  of  success  ;  and  the  people,  of  that  hap- 
piness which  its  prosperity  must  yield.'* 

To  these  communications,  the  General  thus  re- 
plied : 

*'  Your  observations  on  the  solemnity  of  the  cri- 
sis, and  its  application  to  myself,  bring  before  me 
subjects  of  the  most  momentous  and  interesting  na- 
ture. In  our  endeavours  to  establish  a  new  general 
government,  the  contest  nationally  considered,  seems 
not  to  have  been  so  much  for  glory,  as  existence. 
It  was  for  a  long  time  doubtful  whether  we  were  to 
survive  as  an  independent  republick,  or  decline  from 
our  federal  dignity  into  insignificant  and  wretched 
fragments  of  empire.  The  adoption  of  the  consti- 
tution so  extensively,  and  with  so  liberal  an  acqui- 
escence on  the  part  of  the  minorities  in  general, 
promised  the  former  ;  but  lately,  the  circular  letter 
of  New  York  has  manifested  in  my  apprehension  an 
unfavourable,  if  not  an  insidious  tendency  to  a  con- 
trary policy.  I  still  hope  for  the  best ;  but  before 
you  mentioned  it,  I  could  not  help  fearing  it  would 


)788.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  353 

serve  as  a  standard  to  which  the  disaffected  could 
resort.  It  is  now  evidently  the  part  of  all  honest 
men,  who  are  friends  to  the  new  constitution,  to  en- 
deavour to  give  it  a  chance  to  disclose  its  merits 
and  defects  by  carrying  it  fairly  into  eftect,  in  the 
first  instance. 

"  The  principal  topick  of  your  letter  is  to  me,  a 
point  of  great  delicacy  indeed,  insomuch  that  I 
can  scarcely,  without  some  impropriety,  touch  up- 
on it.  In  the  first  place,  the  event  to  which  you  al- 
lude may  never  happen,  among  other  reasons  be- 
cause, if  the  partiality  cf  my  fellow  citizens  conceive 
it  to  be  a  mean  by  which  the  sinews  of  the  new 
government  would  be  strengthened,  it  will  of  con- 
sequence be  obnoxious  to  those  who  are  in  opposi- 
tion to  itj  many  of  whom,  unquestional:)ly,  will  be 
placed  among  the  electors.  This  consideration  a^ 
lone  would  supersede  the  expediency  of  announcing 
any  definitive  and  irrevocable  resolution.  You  are 
among  the  small  number  of  those  who  know  my  in- 
vincible attachment  to  domestick  life,  and  that  my 
sincerest  wish  is  to  continue  in  the  enjoyment  of  it 
solely,  until  my  final  hour.  But  the  world  would 
be  neither  so  well  instructed,  nor  so  candidly  dis- 
posed, as  to  believe  me  to  be  uninfluenced  by  sinister 
motives  in  case  any  circumstance  should  render  a 
deviation  from  the  line  of  conduct  I  had  prescribed 
for  myself  indispensable.  Should  the  contingency  you 
suggest,  take  place,  and  (for  argument's  sake  alone 
let  me  say)  should  my  unfeigned  reluctance  to  ac- 
cept the  ofiice  be  overcome  by  a  deference  for  the 
reasons  and  opinions  of  my  friends  ;  might  I  not,  af- 

X  X 


S54i  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [|1788» 

ter  the  declarations  I  have  made,  (and  heaven  knows 
they  were  made  in  the  sincerity  of  my  heart)  in  the 
judgment  of  the  impartial  world,  and  of  posterity, 
be  chargeable  with  levity  and  inconsistency,  if  not 
with  rashness  and  ambition  ?  Nay  farther,  would 
there  not  even  be  some  apparent  foundation  for  the 
two  former  charges  ?  Now,  justice  to  myself,  and 
tranquillity  of  conscience  require  that  I  should  act 
a  part,  if  not  above  imputation,  at  least  capable  of 
vindication.  Nor  will  you  conceive  me  to  be  too 
solicitous  for  reputation.  Though  I  prize  as  I 
ought  the  good  opinion  of  my  fellow  citizens,  yet 
if  I  know  myself,  I  would  not  seek  popularity  at 
the   expense  of  one  social  duty,  or  moral  virtue. 

*'  While  doing  what  my  conscience  informed  me 
was  right,  as  it  respected  my  God,  my  Country, 
and  myself,  I  could  despise  all  the  party  clamour 
and  unjust  censure  which  must  be  expected  from 
some,  whose  personal  enmity  might  be  occasioned 
by  their  hostility  to  the  government.  I  am  con- 
scious, that  I  fear  alone  to  give  any  real  occasion 
for  obloquy,  and  that  I  do  not  dread  to  meet  with 
unmerited  reproach.  And  certain  I  am,  whensoev- 
er I  shall  be  convinced  the  good  of  my  country  re- 
quires my  reputation  to  be  put  in  risque,  regard  for 
my  own  fame  will  not  come  in  competition  with  an 
object  of  so  much  magnitude. 

*'  If  I  declined  the  task,  it  would  be  upon  quite 
another  principle.  Notwithstanding  my  advanced 
season  of  life,  my  increasing  fondness  for  agricul- 
tural amusements,  and  my  growing  love  of  retire- 
ment, augment  and  confirm  my  decided  predeliction 


1788.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  355 

for  the  character  of  a  private  citizen,  yet  it  will  be 
no  one  of  these  motives,  nor  the  hazard  to  which 
my  former  reputation  might  be  exposed,  or  the  ter- 
rour  of  encountering  new  fatigues  and  troubles,  that 
would  deter  me  from  an  acceptance  ;  but  a  belief 
that  some  other  person,  who  had  less  pretence  and 
less  inclination  to  be  excused,  could  execute  all  the 
duties  full  as  satisfactorily  as  myself.  To  say  more 
would  be  indiscreet ;  as  the  disclosure  of  a  refusal 
beforehand  might  incur  the  application  of  the  fable, 
in  which  the  fox  is  represented  as  undervaluing  the 
grapes  he  could  not  reach.  You  will  perceive,  my 
dear  sir,  by  what  is  here  observed  (and  uhich  you 
will  be  pleased  to  consider  in  the  light  of  a  confiden- 
tial communication)  that  my  inclinations  will  dispose 
and  decide  me  to  remain  as  I  am  ;  unless  a  clear  and 
insurmountable  conviction  should  be  impressed  on 
my  mind,  that  some  very  disagreeable  consequen- 
ces must  in  all  human  probability  result  from  the 
indulgence  of  my  wishes." 

To  similar  suggestions  from  Colonel  Hamilton, 
General  Washington  replied.  "  On  the  deli- 
cate subject  with  which  you  conclude  your  letter  I 
can  say  nothing  ;  because  the  event  alluded  to  may 
never  happen,  and  because  in  case  it  should  occur, 
it  would  be  a  point  of  prudence  to  defer  forming 
one's  ultimate  and  irrevocable  decision,  so  long  as 
new  data  might  be  afforded  for  one  to  act  with  the 
greater  wisdom  and  propriety.  I  would  not  wish 
to  conceal  my  prevailing  sentiment  from  you.  For 
you  know  me  well  enough,  my  good  sir,  to  be  per- 
suaded that  I  am  not  guilty  of  affectation,   when  I 


356  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1788. 

tell  you  it  is  my  great  and  sole  desire  to  live  and  die 
in  peace  and  retirement  on  my  own  farm.  Were  it 
even  indispensable  a  different  line  of  conduct  should 
be  adopted,  while  you  and  some  others  who  are  ac- 
quainted with  my  heart  would  acquit,  the  world  and 
posterity  might  probably  accuse  me  of  inconsistency 
and  ambition.  Still  I  hope,  I  shall  always  possess 
firmness  and  virtue  enough  to  maintain  (what  I  con- 
sider the  most  enviable  of  all  titles)  the  character  of 
OJi  honest  man. 

*'  Although  I  could  not  help  observing  from 
several  publications  and  letters  that  my  name  had 
been  sometimes  spoken  of,  and  that  it  was  possible 
the  contingency  which  is  the  subject  of  your  letter 
might  happen,  yet  I  thought  it  best  to  maintain  a 
guarded  silence,  and  to  lack  the  counsel  of  my  best 
friends  (which  I  certainly  hold  in  the  highest  esti- 
mation) rather  than  to  hazard  an  imputation  un- 
friendly to  the  delicacy  of  my  feelings.  For,  situat- 
ed as  I  am,  I  could  hardly  bring  the  question  into 
the  slightest  discussion,  or  ask  an  opinion  even  in  the 
most  confidential  manner,  without  betraying  in  my 
judgment,  some  impropriety  of  conduct,  or  without 
feeling  an  apprehension  that  a  premature  display  of 
anxiety,  might  be  construed  into  a  vain  glorious  de- 
sire of  pushing  myself  into  notice  as  a  candidate. 
Now,  if  I  am  not  grossly  deceived  in  myself,  I  should 
unfeignedly  rejoice,  in  case  the  electors,  by  giving 
their  votes  in  favour  of  some  other  person,  would 
save  me  from  the  dreadful  dilemma  of  being  forced 
to  accept  or  refuse.  If  that  may  not  be,  I  am  in  the 
jiext  place,  earnestly  desirous  of  searching  out  the 


1788.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  357 

truth,  and  of  knowing  whether  there  does  not  exist  a 
probability  that  the  government  would  be  just  as 
happily  and  effectually  carried  into  execution  with- 
out my  aid,  as  with  it.  I  am  truly  solicitous  to  ob- 
tain all  the  previous  information  which  the  circum- 
stances will  afford,  and  to  determine  (when  the  de- 
termination can  with  propriety  be  no  longer  post- 
poned) according  to  the  principles  of  right  reason, 
and  the  dictates  of  a  clear  conscience  ;  without  too 
great  a  reference  to  the  unforeseen  consequences 
which  may  affect  my  person  or  reputation.  Until 
that  period,  I  may  fairly  hold  myself  open  to  convic- 
tion, though  I  allow  your  sentiments  to  have  weight 
iii  them  ;  and  I  shall  not  pass  by  your  arguments 
livithout  giving  them  as  dispassionate  a  consideration 
as  I  can  possibly  bestow  upon  them. 

"  In  taking  a  survey  of  the  subject,  in  whatever 
point  of  light  I  have  been  able  to  place  it,  I  will  not 
suppress  the  acknowledgment,  my  dear  sir,  that  I 
have  always  felt  a  kind  of  gloom  upon  my  mind,  as 
often  as  I  have  beeii  taught  to  expect  I  might,  and 
perhaps  must  ere  long  be  called  to  make  a  decision. 
You  will,  I  am  well  assured,  believe  the  assertion 
(though  I  have  little  expectation  it  would  gain  cred- 
it from  those  who  are  less  acquainted  with  me) 
that  if  I  should  receive  the  appointment,  and  should 
be  prevailed  upon  to  accept  it ;  the  acceptance  would 
be  attended  with  more  diffidence  and  reluctance, 
than  ever  I  experienced  before  in  my  life.  It  would 
be,  however,  w  ith  a  fixed  and  sole  determination  of 
lending  whatever  assistance  might  be  in  my  po\A  er 
lo  promote  the  publick  weal,  in  hopes  that  at  a  con- 


558  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1788. 

venient  and  early  period,  my  services  might  be  dis- 
pensed with  ;  and  that  I  might  be  permitted  once 
more  to  retire.. ..to  pass  an  unclouded  evening  after 
the  stormy  day  of  life,  in  the  bosom  of  domestick 
tranquillity." 

We  have  already  made  copious  extracts  from 
the  letters  of  the  General  on  the  subject  of  the  Presi- 
dency ;  but  as  they  clearly  describe  his  feelings  and 
views  on  the  near  prospect  of  being  again  summon- 
ed by  his  country  into  publick  life,  they  must  be  in- 
teresting to  all.  We  will  close  them  with  the  fol- 
lowing communications  made  to  General  Lincoln, 
who  had  also  communicated  to  him  the  expectation 
of  his  friends,  "  I  would  willingly  pass  over  in  si- 
lence that  part  of  your  letter,  in  which  you  mention 
the  persons  who  are  candidates  for  the  two  first  of- 
fices in  the  executive,  if  I  did  not  fear  the  omission 
might  seem  to  betray  a  want  of  confidence.  Mo- 
tives of  delicacy  have  prevented  me  hitherto  from 
conversing  or  writing  on  this  subject,  whenever  I 
could  avoid  it  with  decency.  I  may,  however,  with 
great  sincerity,  and  I  believe  without  ofl'ending  a- 
gainst  modesty  or  propriety,  say  to  you,  that  I  most 
heartily  wish  tiie  choice  to  which  you  allude  might 
not  fall  upon  me  ;  and  that  if  it  should,  I  must  re- 
serve to  myself  the  right  of  making  up  my  final  deci- 
sion, at  the  last  moment,  when  it  can  be  brought  into 
one  view,  and  when  the  expediency  or  inexpediency 
of  a  refusal  can  be  more  judiciously  determined  than 
at  present.  But  be  assured,  my  dear  sir,  if  fi'om 
any  inducement  I  shall  be  persuaded  ultimately  to 
accept,  it  will  not  be  (so  far  as  I  know  my  own  heart) 


1788.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  359 

from  any  of  a  private  or  personal  nature.  Every 
personal  consideration  conspires  to  rivet  me  (if  I 
may  use  the  expression)  to  retirement.  At  my  time 
of  life,  and  under  my  circumstances,  nothing  in  this 
world  can  ever  draw  me  from  it,  unless  it  be  a  coji- 
•uiction  that  the  partiality  of  my  countrymen  had 
made  my  services  absolutely  necessary,  joined  to  a 
fear  that  my  refusal  might  induce  a  belief  that  I  pre- 
ferred the  conservation  of  my  own  reputation  and 
private  ease,  to  the  good  of  my  country.  After  all, 
if  I  should  conceive  myself  in  a  manner  constrained 
to  accept,  I  call  heaven  to  witness,  that  this  very  act 
would  be  the  greatest  sacrifice  of  my  personal  feel- 
ings and  wishes,  that  ever  I  have  been  called  upon 
to  make.  It  would  be  to  forego  repose  and  domes- 
tick  enjoyment  for  trouble,  perhaps  publick  oblo- 
quy ;  for  I  should  consider  myself  as  entering  upon 
an  unexplored  field,  enveloped  on  every  side  with 
clouds  and  darkness. 

"  From  this  embarrassins;  situation  I  had  natur- 
ally  supposed  that  my  declarations  at  the  close  of 
the  war  would  have  saved  me  ;  and  that  my  sincere 
intentions,  then  publickly  made  known,  would  have 
effectually  precluded  me  forever  afterwards  from  be- 
ing looked  upon  as  a  candidate  for  any  office.  This 
hope,  as  a  last  anchor  of  worldly  happiness  in  old 
age,  I  had  still  carefully  preserved  ;  until  the  pub- 
lick  papers,  and  private  letters  from  my  correspond- 
ents in  almost  every  quarter,  taught  me  to  appre- 
hend that  I  might  soon  be  obliged  to  answer  the 
question,  whether  I  would  go  again  into  publick 
life  or  not," 


^60  L7FE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1789. 

Iri  event  it  appeared,  that  amidst  the  discordance 
of  opinion,  respecting  the  merits  of  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution, there  was  but  one  sentiment,  throu"-h  the 
United  States,  respecting  the  man  who  should  ad- 
minister the  government.  On  counting  the  votes 
of  the  electors  of  President  and  Vice  President,  it 
wasfound  that  General  George  Washington  had 
their  unanimous  suffrage,  and  was  chosen  President 
of  the  United  States  for  four  3'ears  from  the  4th  of 
March  1789. 

On  the  14th  of  April,  official  information  reach- 
ed him  of  his  election.  Having  already  made  up  his 
mind  to  obey  the  summons  of  a  whole  country,  on 
the  second  day  after  this  notification,  he  quitted  the 
quiet  walks  of  Mount  Vernon  for  the  arduous  duties 
of  the  supreme  magistracy  of  his  nation.  Although 
grateful  for  this  renewed  declaration  of  the  fiivoura- 
ble  opinion  of  the  community,  yet  his  determination 
to  accept  the  office  was  accompanied  with  diffidence 
and  apprehension.  *' I  wish,"  he  observed  "that 
there  may  not  be  reason  for  regretting  the  choice, 
for  indeed  all  I  can  promise  is,  to  accomplish  that 
which  can  be  done  by  an  honest  zeal."  The  feel- 
ings, with  which  he  entered  upon  publick  life,  he 
left  upon  his  private  journal. 

"  About  ten  o'clock,  1  bade  adieu  to  Mount 
Vernon,  to  private  life,  and  to  domestick  felicity  ; 
and  with  a  mind  oppressed  with  more  anxious  and 
painful  sensations  than  I  have  words  to  express,  set 
out  for  New  York,  with  the  best  dispo^itiorjis  to 
render  service  to  my  country  in  obedience  to  its 
call,  but  with  less  hope  of  answering  its  expecta- 
tions." 


1789.3  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  361 

He  was  met  on  the  road  by  the  gentlemen  of 
Alexandria,  and  oonducted  to  a  publick  dinner. 
From  the  numerous  addresses  presented  to  the  Gen- 
eral on  this  occasion,  we  select  that  of  the  citizens 
of  Alexandria,  because  it  is  a  testimonial  of  the  af- 
fection and  veneration  in  which  his  neighbours  and 
friends  held  his  private  as  well  as  publick  character, 
and  because  in  itself  it  has  peculiar  interest.  The 
following  is  the  address  : 

"Again  your  country  commands  your  care.... 
Obedient  to  its  wishes,  unmindful  of  }  our  ease,  wc 
see  you  again  relinquishing  the  bliss  of  retirement, 
and  this  too  at  a  period  of  life,   when   nature   itself 
seems  to  authorize  a  preference  of  repose  ! 

"Not  to  extol  your  glory  as  a  soldier ;  not  to  pour 
forth  our  gratitude  for  past  services ;  not  to  ac- 
knowledge the  justice  of  the  unexampled  honour 
which  .has  been  conferred  upon  you  by  the  sponta- 
neous and  unanimous  suffrages  of  three  millions  of 
freemen,  in  your  election  to  the  supreme  magistra- 
cy ;  nor  to  admire  the  patriotism  which  directs  your 
conduct,  do  your  neighbours  and  friends  now  ad- 
dress you.  Themes  less  splendid,  but  more  en- 
dearing, impress  our  minds.  The  first  and  best  of 
citizens  must  leave  us.  Our  aged  must  lose  their 
ornament ;  our  youth  their  model ;  our  agriculture 
its  improver  ;  our  commerce  its  friend  ;  our  infant 
academy  its  protector ;  our  poor  their  benefactor,  and 
the  interiour  navigation  of  the  Potomack  (an  event 
replete  with  the  most  extensive  utility  already,  by 
your  unremitted  exertions,  brought  into  partial  use) 
its  institutor  and  promoter. 

Y    Y 


362  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1789. 

"  Farewell  !....go  !  and  make  a  grateful  people 
happy,  a  people,  who  will  be  doubly  grateful  when 
they  contemplate  this  recent  sacrifice  for  their  inter- 
est. 

''  To  that  Being  who  maketh  and  unmaketh  at 
his  will,  we  commend  you  ;  and  after  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  arduous  business  to  which  you  arc 
called,  may  he  restore  to  us  again,  the  best  of  men, 
and  the  most  beloved  fellow  citizen  !'* 

To  which  General  Washington  replied  as 
follows : 

"Gentlemen, 

"Although  I  ought  not  to  conceal,  yet  I  cannot 
describe  the  painful  emotions  which  I  felt  in  being 
called  upon  to  determine  whether  I  would  accept  or 
refuse  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States.  The 
unanimity  in  the  choice,  the  opinion  of  my  friends 
communicated  from  different  parts  of  Europe  as 
well  as  from  America,  the  apparent  wish  of  those 
who  were  not  entirely  satisfied  with  the  constitution 
in  its  present  form ;  and  an  ardent  desire  on  my 
own  part  to  be  instrumental  in  connecting  the  good 
will  of  my  countrymen  towards  each  other,  have 
induced  an  acceptance.  Those  who  know  me  best 
(and  you,  my  fellow  citizens,  are,  from  your  situa- 
tion, in  that  number)  know  better  than  any  others 
my  love  of  retirement  is  so  great,  that  no  earthly 
consideration,  short  of  a  conviction  of  duty,  could 
have  prevailed  upon  me  to  depart  from  my  resolu- 
tion never  more  to  take  any  share  in  transactions  of 
a  publick  nature.  For,  at  my  age,  and  in  my 
circumstances,  what  prospects   or  advantages  could 


1789.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  363 

I  propose  to  myself,  from  embarking  again  on 
the  tempestuous  and  uncertain  ocean  of  publick 
life  ?  I  do  not  feel  myself  under  the  necessity 
of  making  publick  declarations,  in  order  to  convince 
you,  gentlemen,  of  my  attachment  to  yourselves, 
and  regard  for  your  interests.  The  whole  tenour  of 
my  life  has  been  open  to  your  inspection  ;  and  my 
past  actions,  rather  than  my  present  declarations, 
must  be  the  pledge  of  my  future  conduct. 

"  In  the  mean  time,  I  thank  you  most  sincerely 
for  the  expressions  of  kindness  contained  in  your  va- 
ledictory address.  It  is  true,  just  after  having  bade 
adieu  to  my  domestick  connexions,  this  tender  proof 
of  your  friendships  is  but  too  well  calculated  still 
farther  to  awaken  my  sensibility,  and  increase  my 
regret  at  parting  from  the  enjoyments  of  private 
life. 

"  All  that  now  remains  for  me  is  to  commit 
myself  and  you  to  the  protection  of  that  beneficent 
Being  who,  on  a  former  occasion,  hath  happily 
brought  us  together,  after  a  long  and  distressing 
separation.  Perhaps  the  same  gracious  Providence 
will  again  indulge  me.  Unutterable  sensations 
must  then  be  left  to  more  expressive  silence.... 
while  from  an  aching  heart,  I  bid  you  all,  my  affec- 
tionate friends,  and  kind  neighbours,  farewell  !'* 

It  was  the  wish  of  General  Washington  toa- 
void  parade  on  his  journey  to  the  seat  of  government, 
but  he  found  it  impossible.  Numerous  bodies  of 
respectable  citizens,  and  detachments  from  the  mi- 
litia  escorted  him  the  whole  distance,  and  at  every 
place  through  which  he  passed,  he  received  the 


564  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  [1789. 

most  flattering  evidence  of  the  high  estimatiOTi,  in 
which  his  countrymen  held  his  talents  and  his  vir- 
tues. 

Gray's  bridge  over  the  Schuylkill  M'as,  with 
much  taste  and  expression,  embellished  on  the  oc- 
casion. At  each  end  arches  were  erected  com- 
posed of  laurel,  in  imitation  of  a  Roman  trium- 
phal arch;  and  on  each  side  was  a  laurel  shrub- 
bery. As  the  General  passed,  unperceived  by  him, 
a  youth  by  the  aid  of  machinery  let  down  upon  his 
head  a  civick  crown.  Through  avenues  and  streets 
thronged  with  people,  he  passed  from  the  Schuylkill 
into  Philadelphia,  and  at  night  the  city  was  illum.i- 
nated. 

At  Trenton,  the  Ladies  presented  him  with  a 
tribute  of  gratitude  for  the  protection  which,  twelve 
years  before,  he  gave  them,  worthy  of  the  taste  and 
refinement  of  the  sex.  On  the  bridge  over  the  creek 
which  runs  through  this  place,  a  triumphal  arch  was 
erected  on  thirteen  pillars,  these  were  entwined  with 
laurel  and  decorated  with  flowers.  On  the  front 
of  the  arch  was  the  following  inscription,  in  large 
gilt  letters, 

THE  DEFENDER  OF  THE  MOTHERS 

WILL  BE   THE 

PROTECTER  OF  THE  DAUGHTERS. 

On  the  centre  of  the  arch  above  the  inscription 
was  a  dome  of  flowers  and  evergreens  incircling  the 
dates  of  two  events  particularly  interesting  to  the  in- 
habitants of  New  Jersey,  viz.  the  successful  assault 
on  the  Hessian  post  in  Trenton,  and  the  gallant  stand 
made  by  General  Washington  at  the  same  creek 


1789.1  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  365 

on  the  evening  preceding  the  battle  of  Princeton. 
A  numerous  party  of  matrons,  holding  their  daugh- 
ters in  their  hands,  who  were  dressed  in  white  and 
held  on  their  arms  baskets  of  Rowers  assembled  at 
this  place,  and  on  his  approach  the  young  Ladies  in- 
fthantingly  sang  the  following  ode, 

Welcome  Mighty  Chief,  once  more 
Welcome  to  this  grateful  shore  ; 
Now  no  mercenary  foe 
Aims  again  the  fatal  blow, 
Aims  at  THEE  the  fatal  blow. 

Virgins  fair  and  matrons  grave 
Those  thy  conquering  arms  did  save, 
Build  for  THEE  triumphal  bowers  ; 
Strew  ye  fair  his  way  with  flowers, 
Strew  your  HERO's  way  with  flowers. 

At  the  last  line  the  flowers  were  strewed  before 
him. 

On  the  eastern  shore  of  New  Jersey,  he  was 
met  by  a  Committee  of  Congress,  and  accompanied 
over  the  river  in  an  elegant  barge,  of  thirteen  oars, 
and  manned  by  thirteen  branch  pilots. 

"  The  display  of  boats,"  observes  the  General 
in  his  diary,  "  which  attended  and  joined  on  this 
occasion,  some  with  vocal  and  others  with  instru- 
mental musick  on  board,  the  decorations  of  the  ships, 
the  roar  of  cannon,  and  the  loud  acclamations  of  the 
people  which  rent  the  sky  as  I  passed  along  the 
wharves,  filled  my  mir^d  with  sensations  as  painful 
(contemplating  the  reverse  of  this  scene,  which  may 
be  the  case  after  all  my  endeavours  to  do  good)  as 
they  were  pleasing." 


366  LIFE    OF   WASHINGTON,  [178{>. 

He  landed  on  the  23d  of  April  at  the  stairs  on 
Murray's  wharf,  which  were  highly  ornamented  for 
the  purpose.  At  this  place  the  Governour  of  New 
York  received  him,  and  with  military  honours,  and 
amidst  an  immense  concourse  of  people,  conducted 
him  to  his  apartments  in  the  city.  At  the  close  of 
the  day,  Foreign  Ministers  and  other  characters  of 
distinction,  made  him  congratulatory  visits,  and  the 
publick  exhibition  was  at  night  closed  by  a  brilliant 
illumination. 


1789.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  367 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Inauguration  of  the  President. ...His  Address  to  Congress.... 
JnsHoersofthetnvo  Houses. ...The  Arrangements  of  his  House- 
hold....His  Regulations  for  Visitors. ...The  Reasons  of  their 
adoption. ...The  Relations  of  the  United  States  nvith  Foreign 
.  Powers.. ..Congress  establishes  the  Dejiartments  of  the  Gov- 
ernment....The  President  fills  them.. ..He  visits  J\''ew  Eng- 
land....His  Reception.. ..Addresses  to  him.... His  Answers.... 
J^fegotiations  inth  the  Indians. ...TreRty  with  the  Creeks.... 
War  with  the  Wabash  and  I^Iiamis  Tribes... .General  Mar- 
mar's  expedition. ...St.  Clair  defeated. ...General  Wayne  -vic- 
torious and  makes  a  Treaty  with  them. ...Second  Session  of 
Congress. ...Fiscal  Arrangements  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury. ...Indisposition  of  the  President.. ..He  visits  Mount 
Vernon. ...Meets  Congress  at  Philadelphia... .His  Tour  to  the 
Southern  States....Second  Congress.. ..The  Pi-esident  refuses 
^is  Signature  to  the  Representative  Bill....Conte7nplates  re- 
tiring to  Private  Life. ...Consents  to  be  a  Candidate  for  the 
Second  Presidency. 

1789.  In  adjusting  the  ceremonies  of  the  in- 
auguration of  the  President,  Congress  determined 
that  the  oath  of  office  should  be  administered  to 
him  in  an  open  gallery  adjoining  the  Hall  of  the  Sen- 
ate. Accordingly  on  the  30th  of  April,  General 
Washington  attended,  and,  in  a  view  of  a  vast  as- 
semblage of  people,  was  constitutionally  qualified 
for  the  administration  of  the  government.  On  his 
being  proclaimed  President  of  the  United  States, 
reiterated  acclamations  testified  the  interest  and  the 


568  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1789. 

pleasure,  which  the  attending  multitude  felt  in  the 
transaction. 

The  President  immediately  entered  the  Senate 
chamber  and  made  the  following  Speech  to  the  two 
branches  of  the  Legislature. 

FELLOW    CITIZENS   OF   THE    SENATE,  AND 

OF   THE   HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES, 

*'  Among  the  vicissitudes  incident  to  life,  no 
event  could  have  filled  me  with  greater  anxieties  than 
that  of  which  tlie  notification  was  transmitted  by 
your  order,  and  received  on  the  14th  day  of  the  pre- 
sent month.  On  the  one  hand,  I  was  summoned 
by  my  country,  whose  voice  I  can  never  hear  but 
with  veneration  and  love,  from  a  retreat  which  I  had 
chosen  with  the  fondest  predilection,  and,  in  my 
flattering  hopes,  with  an  immutable  decision  as  the 
asylum  of  my  declining  years  :  A  retreat  which 
was  rendered  every  day  more  necessary  as  well 
as  more  dear  to  me,  by  the  addition  of  habit  to 
inclination,  and  of  frequent  interruptions  in  my 
health  to  the  gradual  waste  committed  on  it  by 
time.  On  the  other  hand,  the  magnitude  and  diffi- 
culty of  the  trust  to  which  the  voice  of  my  country 
called  me,  being  sufficient  to  awaken  in  the  wisest 
and  most  experienced  of  her  citizens,  a  distrustful 
scrutiny  into  his  qualifications,  could  not  but  over- 
whelm with  despondence  one,  who,  inheriting  infe- 
riour  endowments  from  nature,  and  unpractised  in 
the  duties  of  civil  administration,  ought  to  be  pecu- 
liarly conscious  of  his  own  deficiencies.  In  this 
conflict  of  emotions,  all  I  dare  aver  is,  that  it  has 
bee«  my  faithful  study  to  collect  my  duty  from  a 


1789.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON".  S69 

iust  appreciation  of  every  circumstance  by  which  it 
might  be  affected.  All  I  dare  hope  is,  that  if  in  ac- 
cepting this  task  I  have  been  too  much  swayed  by 
a  grateful  remembrance  of  former  instances,  or  by 
an  affectionate  sensibility  to  this  transcendant  proof 
of  the  confidence  of  my  fellow  citizens ;  and  have 
thence  too  little  consulted  my  incapacity  as  well  as 
disinclination  for  the  weighty  and  untried  cares  be- 
fore me  ;  my  errour  will  be  palliated  by  the  motives 
which  misled  me,  and  its  consequences  be  judged 
by  my  country,  with  some  share  of  the  partiality  in 
which  they  originated. 

**  Such  being  the  impressions  under  which  I  have, 
in  obedience  to  the  publick  summons,  repaired  to 
the  present  station,  it  would  be  peculiarly  improper  I 
to  omit  in  this  first  official  act,  my  fervent  supplica-  I 
tions  to  that  Almighty  Being,  who  rules  over  the  / 
universe,  who  presides  in  the  councils  of  nations^ 
and  whose  providential  aids  can  supply  every  hu- 
man defect,  that  his  benediction-  may  consecrate  to 
the  liberties  and  happiness  of  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  a  government  instituted  by  them- 
selves for  these  essential  purposes,  and  may  enable 
every  instrument  employed  in  its  administration,  to 
execute  with  success,  the  functions  allotted  to  his 
charge.  In  tendering  this  homage  to  the  great  Au- 
thor of  every  publick  and  private  good,  I  assure  my- 
self that  it  expresses  your  sentiments  not  less  than 
my  own  ;  nor  those  of  my  fellow  citizens  at  large, 
less  tlian  either.  No  people  can  be  bound  to  ac- 
knowledge and  adore  the  invisible  liand,  which  con- 
ducts tlie  affairs  of  men,  more  than  the  people  of 
z  z 


570  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  [1789. 

'  the  United  States.  Every  step  by  which  they 
have  advanced  to  the  character  of  an  independent 
nation,  seems  to  have  been  distinguished  by  sonic 
token  of  providential  agency.  And  in  the  impor- 
tant revolution  just  accomplished  in  the  system  of 
their  united  government,  the  tranquil  deliberations 
and  voluntary  consent  of  so  many  distinct  commu- 
nities, from  which  the  event  has  resultedj  cannot 
be  compared  with  the  means  by  which  most  gov- 
ernments have  been  established,  without  some  re- 
turn of  pious  gratitude  along  with  an  humble  antici- 
pation of  the  future  blessings  which  the  past  seem 
to  presage.  These  reflections  arising  out  of  the  pres- 
ent crisis,  have  forced  themselves  too  strongly  on 
my  mind  to  be  suppressed.  You  will  join  with  me, 
I  trust,  in  thinking  that  there  are  none  under  the  in- 
fluence of  which,  the  proceedings  of  a  new  and  free 
government  can  more  auspiciously  commence. 

"  By  the  article  establishing  the  executive  de- 
partment, it  is  made  the  duty  of  the  President  '  to 
recommend  to  your  consideration,  such  measures  as 
he  shall  judge  necessary  and  expedient.'  The  cir- 
cumstances under  which  I  now  meet  you,  will  ac- 
quit me  from  entering  into  that  subject,  farther  than 
to  refer  you  to  the  great  Constitutional  Charter  un- 
der which  v.e  arc  assembled  ;  and  which  in  defm- 
ing  your  powers,  designates  the  objects  to  which 
your  attention  is  to  be  given.  It  will  be  more  con- 
sistent with  those  circumstances,  and  far  more  con- 
genial with  the  feelings  which  actuate  me  to  substi- 
tute in  place  of  a  recommendation  of  particular 
measures,  the  tribute  that  is  due  to  the  talents,  the 


1789.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  571 

rectitude,  and  the  patriotism  which  adorn  the  char- 
acters selected  to  devise  and  adopt  them.  In  tliese 
honourable  qualifications,  I  behold  the  surest  pledg- 
es, that  as  on  one  side,  no  local  prejudices  or  attach- 
ments, no  separate  views  nor  party  animosities,  will 
misdirect  the  comprehensive  and  equal  eye  which 
ought  to  watch  over  this  great  assemblage  of  com- 
munities and  interests  :  So,  on  another,  that  the 
foundations  of  our  national  policy  will  be  laid  in 
the  pure  and  immutable  principles  of  private  moral- 
ity ;  and  the  preeminence  of  a  free  government  be 
exemplified  by  all  the  attributes  which  can  win  the 
affections  of  its  citizens,  and  command  the  respect 
of  the  world. 

"  I  dwell  on  this  prospect  with  every  satisfaction 
which  an  ardent  love  for  my  country  can  inspire  ; 
since  there  is  no  truth  more  thoroughly  established, 
than  that  there  exists  in  the  economy  and  course  of 
nature,  an  indissoluble  union  between  virtue  and 
happiness.... between  duty  and  advantage. ...between 
the  genuine  maxims  of  an  honest  and  magnanimous 
policy,  and  the  solid  rewards  of  publick  prosperity 
and  felicity.  Since  we  ought  to  be  no  less  persuad- 
ed that  the  propitious  smiles  of  Heaven  can  never 
be  expected  on  a  nation  that  disregards  the  eternal 
rules  of  order  and  right,  which  Heaven  itself  has 
ordained  :  And  since  the  preservation  of  the  sacred 
fire  of  liberty,  and  the  destiny  of  the  republican 
model  of  government,  are  justly  considered  as  deeply^ 
perhaps  as  finally  staked,  on  the  experiment  en- 
trusted to  the  hands  of  the  American  people. 


572  LIFE    OP     WASHINGTON.  [1789, 

*'  Besides  the  ordinary  objects  submitted  to  your 
care,  it  will  remain  with  your  judgment  to  decide, 
how  far  an  exercise  of  the  occasional  power  delegat- 
ed  by  the  fifth  article  of  the  Constitution  is  render- 
ed expedient  at  the  present  juncture,  by  the  nature 
of  objections  which  have  been  urged  against  the 
system,  or  by  the  degree  of  inquietude  which  has 
given  birth  to  them.  Instead  of  undertaking  partic- 
ular recommendations  on  this  subject,  in  which  I 
could  be  guided  b}^  no  lights  derived  from  official 
opportunities,  I  shall  again  give  way  to  my  entire 
confidence  in  your  discernment  and  pursuit  of  the 
publick  good  ;  for  1  assure  myself,  that  whilst  you 
carefully  avoid  every  alteration  which  might  en- 
danger the  benefits  of  an  united  and  effective  gov- 
ernment, or  which  ought  to  await  the  future  lessons 
of  experience  ;  a  reverence  for  the  characteristick 
rights  of  freemen,  and  a  regard  for  the  publick  har- 
mony, will  sufficiently  influence  your  deliberations 
on  the  question,  how  far  the  former  can  be  more 
impregnably  fortified,  or  the  latter  be  safely  and  ad- 
vantageously promoted. 

*'  To  the  preceding  observations  I  have  one  to 
add,  which  will  be  most  properly  addressed  to  the 
House  of  Representatives.  It  concerns  myself,  and 
will  therefore  be  as  brief  as  possible.  When  I  was 
first  honoured  with  a  call  into  the  service  of  my  coun- 
try, then  on  the  c\  e  of  an  arduous  struggle  for  its 
liberties,  the  light  in  which  I  contemplated  my  duty, 
required  that  I  should  renounce  every  pecuniary 
compensation.  From  this  resolution  I  have  in  no 
instance  depajtcd.      And  being  still  under  the  im- 


1789.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  373 

pressions  which  produced  it,  I  must  decline  as  in- 
applicable to  myself,  any  share  in  the  personal  emol- 
uments, which  may  be  indispensably  included  in  a 
permanent  provision  for  the  executive  department ; 
and  must  accordingly  pray  that  the  pecuniary  esti- 
mates for  the  station  in  which  I  am  placed,  may, 
during  my  continuation  in  it,  be  limited  to  such 
actual  expenditures  as  the  publick  good  may  be 
thought  to  require. 

"Having  thus  imparted  to  you  my  sentiments, 
as  they  have  been  awakened  by  the  occasion  which 
brings  us  together,  I  shall  take  my  present  leave ; 
but  not  without  resorting  once  more  to  the  benign 
Parent  of  the  human  race,  in  humble  supplication, 
that  since  he  has  been  pleased  to  favour  the  Ameri- 
can people  with  opportunities  for  deliberating  in 
perfect  tranquillity,  and  dispositions  for  deciding 
with  unparalleled  unanimity  on  a  form  of  govern- 
ment for  the  security  of  their  union,  and  the  ad- 
vancement of  their  happiness  ;  so  his  divine  bless- 
ing may  be  equally  conspicuous  in  the  enlarged  views, 
the  temperate  consultations,  and  the  wise  measures 
on  v\  hich  the  success  of  this  government  must  de- 
pend." 

The  answer  of  the  Senate  was  highly  respectful 
and  affectionate. 

"  The  unanimous  suffrage  of  the  elective  body 
in  your  favour,  is  peculiarly  expressive  of  the 
gratitude,  confidence  and  affection  of  the  citizens  of 
America,  and  is  the  highest  testimonial  at  once  of 
your  merit,  and  their  esteem.  We  are  sensible, 
sir,  that  nothing  but  the  voice  of  your  fellow  citi- 


574  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  []l789, 

zens  could  have  called  you  from  a  retreat,  chosen 
by  the  fondest  predilection,  endeared  by  habit,  and 
consecrated  to  the  repose  of  declining  years.  We 
rejoice,  and  with  us,  all  America,  that,  in  obedience 
to  the  call  of  our  common  country,  you  have  return- 
ed once  more  to  publick  life.  In  you  all  parties  con- 
fide, in  you  all  interests  unite,  and  we  have  no  doubt 
that  your  past  services,  great  as  they  have  been, 
will  be  equalled  by  your  future  exertions  ;  and  that 
your  prudence  and  sagacity  as  a  statesman,  will  tend 
to  avert  the  dangers  to  which  we  were  exposed,  to 
give  stability  to  the  present  government,  and  digni- 
ty and  splendour  to  that  country,  which  your  skill 
and  valour  as  a  soldier,  so  eminently  contributed  to 
raise  to  independence  and  empire. 

*'  When  we  contemplate  the  coincidence  of  cir- 
cumstances, and  wonderful  combination  of  causes 
which  gradually  prepared  the  people  of  this  country 
for  independence  ;  when  we  contemplate  the  rise, 
progress,  and  termination  of  the  late  war,  which 
gave  them  a  name  among  the  nations  of  the  earth, 
we  are,  with  you,  unavoidably  led  to  acknowledge 
and  adore  the  great  Arbiter  of  the  universe,  by 
whom  empires  rise  and  fall.  A  review  of  the  many 
signal  instances  of  divine  interposition  in  favour  of 
this  country,  claims  our  most  pious  gratitude. 
And  permit  us,  sir,  to  observe,  that  among  the  great 
events  which  have  led  to  the  formation  and  estab- 
lishment of  a  federal  government,  we  esteem  your 
acceptance  of  the  office  of  President,  as  one  of  the 
most  propitious  and  important." 


1789.]  Lin    OF    WASHINGTON.  375 

The  House,  equally  affectionate  and  respectful 
in  their  answer,  say  : 

"  The  Representatives  of  the  People  of  the  Uni- 
ted Slates,  present  their  congratulations  on  the  event 
by  which  your  fellow  citizens  have  attested  the  pre- 
eminence of  your  merit.  You  have  long  held  the 
first  place  in  their  esteem  ;  you  have  often  received 
tokens  of  their  affection  ;  you  now  possess  the  only 
proof  that  remained  of  their  gratitude  for  your  ser- 
vices, of  their  reverence  for  your  wisdom,  and  of 
their  confidence  in  your  virtues.  You  enjoy  the 
highest,  because  the  truest  honour,  of  being  the  First 
Magistrate,  by  the  unanimous  choice  of  the  freest 
people  on  the  face  of  the  earth, 

"  We  well  know  the  anxieties  with  which  you 
must  have  obeyed  the  summons,  from  the  repose  re- 
served for  your  declining  years,  into  publick  scenes, 
of  which  you  had  taken  your  leave  forever  ;  but  the 
obedience  was  due  to  the  occasion.  It  is  already 
applauded  by  the  universal  joy  w  Inch  welcomes  you 
to  your  station,  and  we  cannot  doubt  that  it  will 
be  rewarded  with  all  the  satisiliction,  with  which  an 
ardent  love  for  your  fellow  citizens  must  review  suc- 
cessful efforts  to  promote  their  happiness. 

"This  anticipation  is  not  justified  merely  by  the 
past  experience  of  your  signal  services.  It  is  par- 
ticularly suggested  by  the  pious  impressions  under 
which  you  commence  your  administration,  and  the 
enlightened  maxims  by  which  you  mean  to  con- 
duct it.  We  feel  with  you  the  strongest  obligations 
to  adore  the  invij^ible  hand  which  has  led  the  Amer- 
ican people  through  so  many  difTiCukies,  to  cherish 


5t6  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON".  [1789. 

a  conscious  responsibility  for  the  destiny  of  republi- 
can liberty,  and  to  seek  the  only  sure  means  of  pre- 
serving and  recommending  the  precious  deposit  in 
a  system  of  legislation,  founded  on  the  principles 
of  an  honest  policy,  and  directed  by  the  spirit  of  a 
diffusive  patriotism. 

*'The  question  arising  out  of  the  fifth  article  of 
the  Constitution,  will  receive  all  the  attention  de- 
manded by  its  importance,  and  will,  we  trust,  be 
decided  under  the  influence  of  all  the  considerations 
to  which  you  allude. 

"In  forming  the  pecuniary  provisions  for  the  ex- 
ecutive department,  we  shall  not  lose  sight  of  a 
wish  resulting  from  motives  which  give  it  a  pe- 
culiar claim  to  our  regard.  Your  resolution,  in  a 
moment  critical  to  the  liberties  of  your  country,  to 
renounce  all  personal  emolument,  was  among  the 
many  presages  of  your  patriotick  services,  which 
have  been  amply  fulfilled ;  and  your  scrupulous 
adherence  now  to  the  law  then  imposed  on  your- 
self, cannot  fail  to  demonstrate  the  purity,  whilst  it 
increases  the  lustre  of  a  character,  which  has  so 
many  titles  to  admiration. 

*' Such  are  the  sentiments  with  which  we  have 
thought  fit  to  address  you .  They  flow  from  our  own 
hearts,  and  v/e  verily  believe,  that  among  the  mil- 
lions we  represent,  there  is  not  a  virtuous  citizen 
whose  heart  will  disown  them. 

*'  All  that  remains  is,  that  we  join  in  your  fer- 
vent supplications  for  the  blessings  of  Heaven  on 
our  country  ;  and  that  we  add  our  own  for  the 
choicest  of  those  blessings  on  the  most  beloved  of 
her  citizens." 


1789.]  LIFE    OP    WASHINGTON.  377 

While  waiting  the  movements  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, the  President  endeavoured  fully  to  acquaint 
himself  with  the  state  of  publick  affairs,  and  for 
this  purpose,  he  called  upon  those  who  had  been 
the  heads  of  departments  under  the  confederation, 
to  report  to  him  the  situation  of  their  respective 
concerns.  He  also,  having  consulted  with  his 
friends,  adopted  a  system  for  the  order  of  his  own 
household,  for  the  regulation  of  his  i^ours  of  busi- 
ness, and  of  intercourse  with  those  who,  in  a  for- 
mal manner,  visited  him  as  the  Supreme  Magis- 
trate of  the  nation. 

He  publickly  announced  that  neither  visits  of 
business  or  ceremony  would  be  expected  on  Sun- 
day, as  he  wished  to  reserve  this  day  sacredlv.to 
himself.  Other  regulations,  adopted  at  this  time 
were  at  a  subsequent  period  complained  of  as  par- 
taking too  much  of  monarchical  customs.  To  a 
friend  in  Virginia,  who  had  made  known  these 
complaints,  the  President  gave  the  following  rea- 
sons for  their  adoption. 

"While  the  eyes  of  America,  perhaps  of  the 
world,  are  turned  to  this  government,  and  many- 
are  v/atching  the  movements  of  those  who  are  con- 
cerned in  its  administration,  I  should  like  to  be  in- 
formed through  so  good  a  medium,  of  the  publick 
opinion  of  both  men  and  measures,  and  of  none 
more  than  myself ;... .not  so  much  of  what  may  be 
thought  commendable  parts,  if  any,  of  my  conduct, 
as  of  those  which  are  conceived  to  be  of  a  differ- 
ent complexion.      The  man  who  means  to  com- 

A  A  A 


378  EIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  [178D. 

mit  no  wrong,  will  never  be  guilty  of  enormities, 
consequently  can  never  be  unwilling  to  learn  what 
are  ascribed  to  him  as  foibles.  If  they  are  really 
such,  the  knowledge  of  them,  in  a  well  disposed 
mind,  will  go  half  way  tov.urds  a  reform.  If  they 
are  not  errours,  he  can  explain  and  justify  the  mo- 
tives of  his  actions.  At  a  distance  from  the  the- 
atre of  action,  truth  is  not  always  related  without 
embellishments,  and  sometimes  is  entirely  pervert- 
ed, from  a  misconception  of  the  causes  which  pro- 
duced the  effects  that  are  the  subject  of  censure. 

"  This  leads  me  to  think  that  a  system  which  I 
found  it  indispensably  necessary  to  adopt  upon  my 
first  coming  to  this  city,  might  have  undergone 
severe  strictures,  and  have  had  motives,  very  for- 
eign from  those  that  governed  me,  assigned  as  the 
causes  thereof.... I  mean  first,  returning  no  visits; 
second,  appointing  certain  days  to  receive  them 
generally,  (not  to  the  exclusion,  however,  of  visits 
on  any  other  days  under  particular  circumstances) 
and  third,  at  first  entertaining  no  company,  and 
afterwards  (until  I  was  unable  to  entertain  any  at 
all)  confining  it  to  official  characters.  A  few  days 
evinced  the  necessity  of  the  two  first  in  so  clear  a 
point  of  view,  that  had  I  not  adopted  it,  I  should 
have  been  unable  to  have  attended  to  any  sort  of  bu- 
siness, unless  I  had  applied  the  hours  allotted  to 
rest  and  refreshment  to  this  purpose  ;  for  by  the 
time  I  had  done  breakfast,  and  thence  until  dinner, 
and  afterwards  until  bed  time,  I  could  not  get  re- 
Jieved  fi'om  the  ceremony  of  one  visit,  before  I  had 


1789.]  MPE     OF     WASHINGTON.  S7M 

to  attend  to  another.  In  a  word,  I  had  no  leisure  to 
read  or  to  answer  the  dispatches  that  were  pouring 
in  upon  me  from  all  quarters. 

*'  Before  the  custom  was  etablished,  which  novr 
accommodates  foreign  characters,  strangers,  and 
others,  who,  from  motives  of  curiosity,  respect  to 
the  Chief  Magistrate,  or  any  other  cause,  are  indu- 
ced to  call  upon  me,  1  was  unable  to  attend  to  any 
business  whatsoever.  For  gentlemen,  consulting 
their  own  convenience  rather  than  mine,  were  calling 
from  the  time  I  rose  from  breakfast,  often  before, 
until  I  sat  down  to  dinner.  This,  as  I  resolved  not 
to  neglect  my  publick  duties,  reduced  me  to  the 
choice  of  one  of  these  alternatives  ;  either  to  refuse 
them  altogether^  or  to  appropriate  a  time  for  the  re- 
xjeption  of  them.  The  first  would,  I  well  knew,  be 
disgusting  to  many  ;  the  latter,  I  expected,  would 
undergo  animadversions  from  those  who  would  find 
fault  with  or  without  cause.  To  please  every  body 
was  impossible.  I  therefore  adopted  that  line  of 
conduct  which  combined  publick  advantage  with 
private  convenience,  and  which  in  my  judgment  was 
unexceptionable  in  itself. 

"  These  visits  are  optional.  They  are  made 
without  invitation.  Between  the  hours  of  three  and 
four  every  Tuesday  I  am  prepared  to  receive  them. 
Gentlemen,  often  in  great  numbers,  come  and  go, 
chat  with  each  other,  and  act  as  they  please.  A 
porter  shews  them  into  the  room,  and  they  retire 
from  it  when  they  choose,  and  without  ceremony. 
At  their  first  entrance,  they  salute  me,  and  i  them, 
and  a§  many  as  I  can  talk  to,  I  do.      What  pomp 


380  LirE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1789. 

there  is  in  all  this,  I  am  unable  to  discover.  Per- 
haps it  consists  in  not  sitting :  To  this,  two  reasons 
are  opposed;  first,  it  is  unusual ;  secondly,  (which 
is  a  more  substantial  one)  because  I  have  no  room 
large  enough  to  contain  a  third  of  the  chairs  which 
would  be  sufficient  to  admit  it.  If  it  is  supposed 
that  ostentation,  or  the  fashions  of  courts,  (which, 
by  the  bye,  I  believe  originate  oftener  in  conven- 
ience, not  to  say  necessity,  than  is  generally  imagin- 
ed) gave  rise  to  this  custom,  I  will  boldly  affirm 
that  no  supposition  was  ever  more  erroneous ;  for 
were  I  to  indulge  my  inclinations,  every  moment 
that  I  could  withdraw  from  the  fatigues  of  my  sta- 
tion, should  be  spent  in  retirement.  That  they  are 
not,  proceeds  from  the  sense  I  entertain  of  the  pro- 
priety of  giving  to  every  one  as  free  access  as  con- 
sists with  that  respect  which  is  due  to  the  chair  of 
government ;  and  that  respect,  I  conceive,  is  nei- 
ther to  be  acquired  or  preserved  but  by  maintaining 
a  just  medium  between  much  state,  and  too  great 
familiarity. 

"  Similar  to  the  above,  but  of  a  more  familiar 
and  sociable  kind,  are  the  visits  of  every  Friday  af- 
ternoon to  Mrs.  Washington,  where  I  always  am. 
These  publick  meetings,  and  a  dinner  once  a  week 
to  as  many  as  my  table  will  hold,  with  the  references 
to  and  from  the  different  departments  of  state,  and 
other  communications  with  all  parts  of  the  union,  is 
as  much,  if  not  more,  than  I  am  able  to  undergo  ; 
for  I  have  already  had,  M'ithin  less  than  a  year,  two 
severe  attacks  ;,...the  last  worse  than  the  first  :....a 
third,  it  is  more  than  probable,  w  ill  put  me  to  sleep 


1789.]  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  381 

with  my  fathers.... at  what  distance  this  may  be,  I 
know  not." 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Presidency  of 
General  Washington,  a  variety  of  circumstances 
combined  to  create  anxiety  and  apprehension  res- 
pecting the  operations  of  the  government. 

The  relation  of  the  country  with  foreign  powers 
was  critical  and  embarrassing.  Spain  discovered 
jealousies  of  the  American  people,  and  manifested  a 
disposition  to  check  their  progress  to  national  wealth 
and  strength.  She  had  refused  negotiation  with  the 
American  government,  and  denied  to  its  subjects 
the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  south  of  the  boun- 
dary of  the  United  States. 

Between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States, 
great  causes  of  altercation  existed.  Just  complaints 
of  the  non  execution  of  essential  articles  of  the  trea- 
ty of  peace  were  mutually  made,  and  an  irritable 
state  of  mind  appeared  in  both  nations,  which  ren- 
dered the  adjustment  of  the  controversy  the  more 
difficult. 

France  early  discovered  a  disposition  to  take 
advantage  of  the  partiality  of  the  American  people, 
to  gain  an  influence  in  their  councils,  and  to  acquire 
the  control  of  their  destiny. 

The  Indians,  through  the  whole  extent  of  the 
western  frontier,  manifested  great  inquietude.  Their 
jealousies  of  the  United  States  were  supposed  to 
have  been  excited  by  the  intrigues  of  Spanish  and 
British  partisans,  and  most  of  the  tribes  assumed 
a  very  threatening  attitude. 


582  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON.       [1789. 

In  addition  to  these  foreign  difRculties,  there 
were  considerations  of  a  domestick  nature,  pecii- 
harly  calculated  to  excite  apprehension. 

The  whole  plan  of  the  Federal  Government  was 
new.  In  no  branch  of  it  was  there  a  precedent ;  but  first 
principles  and  general  rules  were  to  be  established  in 
every  department.  The  United  States  were  with- 
out funds  or  revenue,  and  were  destitute  of  publick 
credit. 

Many  influential  characters,  in  different  parts  of 
the  Union  were  from  the  first  opposed  to  the  Federal 
Constitution.  Debates  in  state  Conventions  on  its 
principles,  had  enkindled  no  inconsiderable  de- 
gree of  animosity.  It  had  been  ratified  in  them 
generally  by  small  majorities,  and  in  some  instan- 
ces this  majority  had  been  obtained,  by  annexing 
provisional  amendments  to  the  ratification.  It  was 
therefore  to  be  apprehended  that  many  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Legislature  were  hostile  to  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  would,  under  the  idea  of  amending,  sacri- 
fice  its  spirit,  or  by  their  opposition  to  every  saluta- 
ry measure,  prevent  an  experiment  of  a  republican 
form  of  government,  auspiciously  begun,  from  be- 
ing fairly  completed. 

Happily  the  American  people  retained  their  con- 
fidence in  those  distinguished  statesmen,  who  had 
been  their  leaders  in  the  controversy  with  Great 
Britain,  which  terminated  in  National  Independence ; 
and  these  statesmen,  imitating  at  this  crisis  the  pub- 
lick  spirit  of  the  General  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
consentci'^  to  forego  the  pleasures  and  emoluments 
of  private  life,  for  the  service  of  their  country.   Ma- 


[1780.  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  383 

ny  of  them  were  the  successful  candidates  for  popu- 
lar suffrage  to  compose  the  Legislature  of  the  nation, 
and  the  first  Congress  consisted  of  men  eminent 
for  their  talents  and  political  information,  and  vener- 
able for  their  patriotism  and  virtue.  A  decided 
majority  of  these  were  the  friends  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  were  disposed  to  make  every  exertion  to 
carry  it  into  execution  upon  a  liberal  and  efficient 
plan. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  Legislature  was  to 
establish  those  departments  which  were  necessary 
to  aid  the  Executive  in  the  administration  of  the 
government. 

In  filling  these  departments,  the  President  was 
to  perform  an  important  and  delicate  duty.  Appli- 
cations for  office  had  been  numerous,  and  the  fol- 
lowing extract  of  a  letter  written  to  a  friend,  who 
had  applied  even  before  General  Washington  ac- 
cepted the  Presidency,  will  shew  the  disposition 
with  which  he  executed  this  trust. 

*'  Should  it  become  absolutely  necessary  for  me 
to  occupy  the  station  in  which  your  letter  presuppos- 
es me,  I  have  determined  to  go  into  it,  perfectly  free 
from  all  engagements  of  every  nature  ^vhatsoever. 
A  conduct  in  conformity  to  this  resolution,  would 
enable  me  in  balancing  the  various  pretensions  of 
different  candidates  for  appointments,  to  act  with  a 
sole  reference  to  justice  and  the  publick  good.  This 
is,  in  substance,  the  answer  that  I  have  given  to  all 
applications  (and  they  are  not  few)  which  have  al- 
ready been  made.  Among  the  places  sought  after 
in  these  applications,  I  must  not  conceal  that  the  of- 


384  LIfK    or   WASHINGTON.  [178f. 

fice  to  which  you  particularly  allude,  is  comprehend- 
ed. This  fact,  I  tell  you  merely  as  a  matter  of  in- 
formation. My  general  manner  of  thinking,  as  to 
the  propriety  of  holding  myslf  totally  disengaged 
will  apologize  for  my  not  enlarging  further  on  the 
subject. 

"Though  I  am  sensible  that  the  publick  suf- 
frage which  places  a  man  in  office,  should  prevent 
him  from  being  swayed,  in  the  execution  of  it,  by 
his  private  inclinations,  yet  he  may  assuredly,  with- 
out violating  his  duty,  be  indulged  in  the  continu- 
ance of  his  former  attachments." 

His  consequent  nominations  fully  proved  the 
purity  of  these  declarations,  and  attested  that  his  se- 
lection of  characters,  for  the  respective  offices  to  be 
filled,  was  made  with  great  judgment  and  pru- 
dence. Removed  from  the  influence  of  local  and 
family  considerations,  he  directed  his  attention  to 
the  publick  interest.  Where  qualifications  were 
equal,  the  candidate  who  could  claim  the  merit  of 
publick  service,  had  the  preference  in  his  appoint- 
ment. 

His  cabinet  was  composed  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  Sec- 
retary of  State,  Colonel  Hamilton,  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  General  Knox,  Secretary  of  War,  and 
Mr.  Edmund  Randolph,  Attorney  General. 

The  session  of  Congress  continued  to  Septem- 
ber, perfect  harmony  subsisted  through  this  pe- 
riod between  the  Executive  and  the  Legislature,  and 
no  circumstance  threatened  to  interrupt  it. 

At  the  adjournment  of  Congress,  the  President 
made  preparations  fo*-  a  tour  through  New  England, 


1789.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  585 

to  view  the  improvements  of  the  country  and  to 
judge  of  the  disposition  of  the  people  towards  the 
newly  established  government.  Accordingly,  on 
the  15di  of  October,  he  began  his  journey  and,  pass- 
ing though  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  went  as 
far  as  Portsmouth  in  New  Hampshire  ;  returning 
by  a  different  route,  he  arrived  on  the  13th  of  No- 
vember at  New  York. 

Many  circumstances  were  combined  during  this 
visit  to  excite  his  sensibility  and  to  render  it  grate- 
ful to  his  best  feelings.  His  journey  carried  him 
through  the  most  populous  and  cultivated  part  of 
the  United  States,  and  gave  him  a  favourable  oppor- 
tunity to  notice  the  progress  of  the  country  in  those 
improvements,  which  consitute  the  strength,  the 
wealth  and  ornament  of  society.  He  visited  the 
scene  of  his  first  campaign,  and  must  have  experi- 
enced elevated  reflections  in  contrasting  the  present 
situation  of  himself  and  his  country,  with  his  and 
their  condition  at  the  commencement  of  the  revolu- 
tionary war.  Every  where  he  remarked  a  steady  at- 
tachment to  the  Federal  Government,  and  received 
the  most  grateful  evidence  of  unqualified  approba- 
tion of  the  measures  of  tiie  x\dministration.  In  ev- 
ery place  through  which  he  passed,  business  was 
suspended,  and  ail  classes  of  citizens  were  eagerly 
employed  to  obtain  a  sight  of  'the  Father  of  their 
country,  and  to  join  in  the  common  expressions 
of  veneration  and  attachment  Military  parade, 
processions,  and  triumphal  arches,  awaited  him  in 
those  populous  toivns  at  which  he  stopped,  and  so 
fully  was  the  publick  curiosity  engrossed  by  hisjour- 

£   6    £ 


586  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1789. 

ney,  that  the  newspapers  of  the  day  were  filled  with 
narratives  of  its  progress  and  termination. 

At  Cambridge,  the  Lieutenant  Governour  and 
Council  of  Massachusetts  waited  upon  him  and  ac- 
companied him  to  Boston,  escorted  by  a  numerous 
collection  of  citizens,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Marshal  of  the  District,  and  the  Sheriff  of  Suffolk. 
The  Selectmen  received  him  at  the  entrance  of  the 
town,  and  from  it  a  procession  of  the  inhabitants  was 
formed,  which  extended  to  the  State  House  ;  an  in- 
teresting part  of  this  procession,  and  which  engaged 
the  special  attention  of  the  President,  was  the  male 
children  of  the  town, under  their  respective  literary  in- 
structors. This  procession  opened  to  the  right  and 
left,  and  he  on  horseback,  preceded  by  companies  of 
artillery  and  inf.uitry,  by  the  Lieutentant  Governour 
and  Council,  the  Marshal  and  Sheriff',  passed  to  the 
State  House.  Here  a  triumphal  arch  was  erected 
from  the  State  House  across  cornhill  to  the  oppo- 
site  houses.  On  the  top  of  the  arch  was  a  galler}', 
in  which  were  placed  a  select  choir  of  singers  of  both 
sexes.  In  the  middle  of  the  gallery  a  pyramid  was 
erected.  On  one  side  of  this  over  the  arch,  was 
the  inscription,  "TO  THE  MAN  WHO 
UNITES  ALL  HEART  S,"  and  on  the  op- 
positeside"TO  COLUMBIA'S  FAVOUR. 
ITE    SON." 

At  the  end  of  the  arch  next  the  State  House, 
in  a  large  ground  was  this  inscription,  "  BOSTON 
RELIEVED  MARCH  17,  1776."  The  Presi- 
dent  was  introduced  through  the  State  House  to  a 
handsome  gallery  at  the  west  end  of  that  building;, 


1789.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  587 

erected  near  the  arch  on  seven  pillars.  As  soon  as 
he  appeared  in  view,  loud  acclamations  broke  from 
the  concourse  below.  He  bowed  to  them,  on 
which  the  choir  sang  an  appropriate  Ode.  He 
was  then  conducted  to  an  house  provided  for  his  use, 
and  elegantly  furnished  from  the  families  of  individ- 
ual gentlemen. 

Addresses  were  presented  to  him  from  civil,  lit- 
erary and  religious  corporations,  and  from  all  other 
societies  of  any  distinction.  In  these,  grateful  no- 
tice was  taken  of  his  publick  services,  and  particular- 
ly, of  the  sacrifice  he  made  of  private  happiness  in 
accepting  the  Presidency, 

In  his  answers,  the  President  reciprocated  the 
benevolent  wishes  of  his  countrymen,  in  language 
calculated  to  confirm  their  confidence  and  affection. 
He  thus  replied  to  a  respectful  address  from  the  in- 
habitants of  Boston. 

"  I  rejoice  with  you  my  fellow  citizens,  in  ever}'- 
circumstance  that  declares  your  prosperity  ;  and  I 
do  so  most  cordially  because  you  have  well  deserv- 
ed to  be  happy. 

"  Your  love  of  liberty,  your  respect  for  the  laws ; 
your  habits  of  industry,  and  your  practice  of  the 
moral  and  religious  obligations,  are  the  strongest 
claims  to  national  and  individual  happiness.  And 
they  will,  I  trust,  be  firmly  and  lastingly  established." 

In  the  renewal  of  direct  intercourse  between 
General  Washington  and  the  companions  of  his 
toils  and  glory  in  the  tented  field,  we  perceive  the 
most  interesting  effusion  of  the  refined  feelings  of 
the  human  heart.  - 


388  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  [1789. 

*'  Amidst  the  various  gratulations,"  says  the  so- 
ciety of  Cincinnati  of  Massachusetts,  *'  which  your 
arrival  in  this  metropoUs  has  occasioned,  permit  us, 
the  members  of  the  society  of  the  Cincinnati  in  this 
Commonwealth,  most  respectfully  to  assure  you  of 
the  ardour  of  esteem  and  affection  you  have  so  in- 
delibly fixed  in  our  hearts,  as  our  glorious  leader  in 
war,  and  illustrious  example  in  peace. 

"  After  the  solemn  and  endearing  farewell  on  the 
banks  of  the  Hudson,  which  our  anxiety  presaged 
as  final,  most  peculiarly  pleasing  is  the  present  unex- 
pected meeting.  On  this  occasion  we  cannot  avoid 
the  recollection  of  the  various  scenes  of  toil  and  dan- 
ger through  which  you  conducted  us,  and  while  we 
contemplate  various  trying  periods  of  the  war,  and 
the  triumphs  of  peace,  we  rejoice  to  behold  you,  in- 
duced by  the  unanimous  voice  of  your  country,  en- 
tering upon  other  trials,  and  other  services,  alike  im- 
portant, and  in  some  points  of  view,  equally  hazard- 
ous. For  the  completion  of  the  great  purposes 
which  a  grateful  country  has  assigned  you,  long, 
very  long  may  your  invaluable  life  be  preserved. 
And  as  the  admiring  world,  while  considering  you 
as  a  soldier,  have  long  wanted  a  comparison,  may 
your  virtues  and  talents  as  a  statesman  leave  them 
without  a  parallel. 

"It  is  not  in  words  to  express  an  attachment 
founded  like  ours.  We  can  only  say,  that  when 
soldiers,  our  greatest  pride  was  a  promptitude  of 
obedience  to  your  orders  ;  as  citizens,  our  supreme 
ambition  is  to  maintain  the  character  of  firm  support- 
ers of  that  noble  fabrick  of  Federal  Government 
over  which  you  preside. 


1789.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  389 

"  As  members  of  the  society  of  the  Cincinnati, 
it  will  be  our  endeavour  to  cherish  those  sacred  prin- 
ciples of  charity  and  paternal  attachment  which  our 
institution  inculcates.  And  while  our  conduct  is 
thus  regulated,  we  can  never  want  the  patronage  of 
the  first  of  patriots  and  the  best  of  men." 

To  which  the  President  thus  replied. 

"  In  reciprocating  with  gratitude  and  sincerity, 
the  multiplied  and  affecting  gratulations  of  my  fel- 
low citizens  of  this  Commonwealth,  they  will  all  of 
them  with  justice  allow  me  to  say,  that  none  can  be 
dearer  to  me  than  the  affectionate  assurances  which 
you  have  expressed.  Dear  indeed  is  the  occasion 
which  restores  an  intercourse  with  my  faithful  as- 
sociates in  prosperous  and  adverse  fortune  ;  and  en- 
hanced are  the  triumphs  of  peace  participated  with 
those  whose  virtue  and  valour  so  largely  contributed 
to  procure  them.  To  that  virtue  and  valour,  your 
country  has  confessed  her  obligations.  Be  mine 
the  grateful  task  to  add  the  testimony  of  a  connexion, 
which  it  was  my  pride  to  own  in  the  field,  and  is 
now  my  happiness  to  acknowledge  in  the  enjoyments 
of  peace  and  freedom. 

"  Regulating  your  conduct  by  those  principles 
which  have  heretofore  governed  your  actions  as  men, 
soldiers  and  citizens,  you  will  repeat  the  obligations 
conferred  on  your  country,  and  you  will  transmit  to 
posterity  an  example  that  must  command  their  ad- 
miration and  grateful  praise.  Long  may  you  con- 
tinue to  enjoy  the  endearments  of  paternal  attach- 
ment and  the  heartfelt  happiness  of  reflecting  that 
you  have  faithfully  done  your  duty. 


390  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1789. 

*'  While  I  am  permitted  to  possess  the  con- 
sciousness of  this  worth,  which  has  long  bound  me 
to  you  by  every  tie  of  affection  and  esteem,  I  will 
continue  to  be  your  sincere  and  faithful  friend." 

The  first  diplomatick  transaction  of  the  President 
was  with  the  Indian  tribes.  He  conceived  it  to  be 
true  policy  to  "  cultivate  an  intimate  intercourse 
with  the  Indians  upon  principles  calculated  to  ad- 
vance their  happiness,  and  to  attach  them  firmly  to 
the  United  States." 

With  these  views  he  early  opened  negotiations 
with  them,  and  the  interests  of  several  of  the  states 
being  closely  connected  with  treaties  that  might  be 
made,  he  asked,  during  the  first  session  of  Congress, 
the  advice  of  the  Senate  upon  questions  that  were  at 
issue. 

The  first  attempt  to  establish  a  peace  with  the 
Creek  Indians  failed.  M'Gillivray,  their  Chief, 
was  the  son  of  a  white  man,  and  his  resentment  had 
been  keenly  excited  against  the  state  of  Georgia 
by  the  confiscation  of  lands  which  his  father  had 
holden  ;  and  more  particularly  by  the  claim  of  that 
government  to  a  large  tract  on  the  Oconee  in  virtue 
of  an  Indian  purchase,  the  validity  of  which  the 
Creek  nation  denied.  General  Lincoln,  Mr.  Grif- 
fin, and  Colonel  Humphries  were  deputed  Commis- 
sioners to  negotiate  with  the  Creeks  in  the  summer 
of  1789.  They  met  M'Gillivray  with  other  Chiefs, 
and  about  two  thousand  of  the  tribe  at  Rock  landing, 
on  the  Oconee,  on  the  frontiers  of  Georgia.  Al- 
though first  appearances  promised  success  to  the 
mission,  yet  M'Gillivray  suddenly  broke  off  the  ne- 


1790-5.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  391 

gotiation  for  the  ostensible  reason  of  a  dispute  about 
boundaries,  but  really  as  was  supposed,  through  the 
influence  of  the  Spanish  government. 

The. situation  of  the  United  States  in  their  rela- 
tion with  the  Indians  became  more  and  more  criti- 
cal and  embarrassing,  and  war  was  threatened  with 
all  the  tribes  from  Canada  to  Louisiana.  The  dan- 
ger was  the  more  formidable  from  the  supposition 
tliat  tlie  jealousies  of  the  Indians  were  excited  by 
the  intrigues  of  British  and  Spanish  agents,  and 
that  an  Indian  war  would  probably  lead  to  hostilities 
with  those  powers. 

Ardently  desirous  to  secure  the  frontiers  from 
the  horrours  of  Indian  warfare,  the  President  again 
attempted  to  negotiate  with  the  Creeks,  without 
committing  the  dignity  of  government.  He  sent 
Colonel  Willett,  a  gallant  revolutionary  ollicer,  into 
their  country,  apparently  upon  private  business; 
but  furnished  with  credentials,  to  be  used  if  he 
found  M'Gillivray  disposed  for  peace.  This  second 
mission  proved  successful.  M'Gillivray  and  a  num- 
ber of  Creek  Chiefs  were  induced  to  repair  to  New 
York,  where  negotiations  were  immedi;itely  open- 
ed, and  a  treaty  soon  established ;  although  the 
Secretary  of  East  Florida  came  to  New  York  with 
a  large  sum  of  money,  under  a  pretence  of  purchas- 
ing  flour,  but  in  fact  to  prevent  M'Gillivray  from 
treating. 

The  attempt  to  establish  peace  with  the  Indians 
of  the  Wabash  and  the  Miamis  did  not  terminate  so 
successfully.  The  American  settlers  on  that  fron- 
tier continued  to  suffer  from  their  hostilities,  and  all 


592  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  (]1790-5. 

appearances  indicated,  that  they  could  be  brought 
into  a  pacifick  disposition,  only  by  being  made  them- 
selves to  feel  the  miseries  of  war. 

The  President  was  decidedly  of  the  opinion  that 
on  the  failure  of  negotiation,  a  military  force 
should  be  employed  in  their  country,  which  their 
miited  power  could  not  successfully  resist,  and 
which  should  be  adequate  to  the  conquest  of  their 
towns,  and  the  destruction  of  their  villages.  This, 
he  conceived,  policy,  economy,  and  humanity  dic- 
tated. But  Congress,  in  their  military  establish- 
ment, did  not  meet  his  views,  and  at  the  moment 
he  gave  his  sanction  to  the  bill,  he  entered  in  his 
private  journal,  that  he  did  not  conceive  the  military 
establishment  was  adequate  to  the  exigence  of  the 
government,  and  to  the  protection  it  was  intended  to 
afford. 

For  the  sake  of  a  connected  view  of  Indian  af- 
fairs, \^  e  will  in  this  place  give  a  narrative  of  subse- 
quent transactions,  although  we  shall  be  carried 
out  of  the  order  of  time  in  which  events  took 
place. 

The  attempt  to  negotiate  with  the  Indians  north- 
west of  the  Ohio  having  proved  abortive,  the  Presi- 
dent conceived  himself  obligated  to  use  the  means 
Congress  had  put  into  his  hands  to  protect  the  fron- 
tiers, and  accordingly  General  Harmar  was  sent  in 
September  1791,  into  the  Indian  territories  with  a 
force,  consisting  of  about  three  hundred  regular 
troops  and  eleven  hundred  miJitia  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Kentucky,  with  orders  to  bring  the  Indians  if 
possible  to  action,  and  to  destroy  their  settlements 
on  the  waters  of  the  Scioto  and  Wabash. 


1790-5.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  393 

The  Savages  avoided  an  engagement  with  the 
main  body  of  the  American  army,  but  with  great 
spirit  attacked  a  strong  detachment  which  had 
pursued  them,  and  killed  several  valuable  of- 
ficers. Harmer  destroyed  their  settlements,  but 
afforded  no  protection  to  the  frontiers.  Several 
smaller  expeditions  with  various  success  were  made 
into  the  Indian  country,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1791 
Major  General  St.  Clair  marched  a  force  of  near 
two  thousand  effective  men  into  their  territories, 
and  on  the  fourth  of  November  was  attacked  and 
totally  defeated  by  them. 

The  President,  apprehending  that  the  success 
of  the  Indians,  and  the  booty  they  had  gained,  would 
have  influence  to  bring  other  tribes  into  the  war, 
conceived  that  the  honour  of  the  nation  was  con- 
cerned to  retrieve  the  American  losses,  and  to  af- 
ford protection  to  the  frontiers.  St.  Clair  resigning 
his  commission,  General  Wayne  was  appointed  his 
successor.  The  President  lost  no  time  in  laying 
before  Congress  an  estimate  of  such  a  military 
force,  as  he  thought  would  be  adequate  to  the  ob- 
ject ;  and  they  at  length  acceded  to  his  proposal. 
While  these  preparations  v.  ere  ripening,  much  com- 
plaint was  made  of  the  war,  and  the  President  was 
induced,  rather  from  a  desire  to  convince  the  coun- 
try that  successful  warfare  was  the  only  means  of 
peace,  than  from  any  expectation  of  success  in  the 
mission,  to  send  Colonel  Harden  and  Major  True- 
man,  two  valuable  oflicers  and  worthy  men,  into 
the  Indian  country,  to  attempt  negotiation  ;  but  they 
G  c  c 


394  LIFE    OF      WASHINGTON.  [1790-5. 

were  both  murdered.  On  the  20th  of  August, 
1794,  General  Wayne  brought  the  Indians  toanen- 
gagefnent,  totally  defeated  them,  and  destroyed  their 
country  on  the  Miamis. 

This  action  was  decisive  :  It  deterred  other 
trilDes  from  entering  into  the  war,  and  induced  the 
Miamis  themselves  to  treat  for  peace.  On  the  3d 
of  August,  a  treaty  was  entered  into  by  General 
Wayne  with  the  Indians  northwest  of  the  Ohio, 
which  ended  all  hostilities,  quieted  the  fears  of  the 
frontiers  and  gave  universal  satisfaction. 

As  early  as  1789,  the  President  received  authen- 
tick  intelligence,  that  Spanish  agents  were  intriguing 
with  the  inhabitants  of  the  Western  country,  to  se- 
duce them  from  their  allegiance  to  the  United  States. 
Representations  were  made  them  in  the  name  of  the 
government  of  Spain,  that  while  they  were  connect- 
ed with  the  Atlantick  States,  the  navigation  of  the 
Mississippi  would  be  denied  them ;  but  if  they 
would  assume  an  independent  government,  the  riv- 
er should  be  opened,  and  their  independence  sup- 
ported. 

In  1794,  Spain,  suft'ering  herself  the  evils  of 
war,  was  inclined  to  treat  with  the  United  States. 
She  intimated  by  her  ministers,  that  the  etiquette  of 
her  court  forbid  her  to  treat  with  Mr.  Short,  the 
American  resident  at  Madrid,  yet  a  higher  diplo- 
matick  character  would  be  accredited,  and  negotia- 
tions immediately  opened  with  him.  The  Presi- 
dent placed  full  confidence  in  Mr.  Short,  but 
he  thought  it  policy  to  meet  the  friendly  proposi- 
tions of  Spain,  and  in  November  nominated  Mr. 


1790-5.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  395 

Pinckney  to  be  the  American  Minister  at  that 
Court.  In  the  course  of  the  next  summer,  Mr. 
Pinckney  repaired  to  Madrid,  and  on  the  20th  of 
October  1795,  a  treaty  was  signed  between  him  and 
the  Spanish  commissioners, which  happily  terminat- 
ed the  controversy  respecting  boundary  lines,  and 
the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  nation. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  1790,  the  President  met 
Congress  at  their  second  session. 

In  his  speech  he  congratulated  them  on  the  suc- 
cess of  their  measures,  and  recommended  a  variety 
of  national  objects  to  their  serious  attention.  A- 
mong  these,  the  following  are  the  principal.  Pro- 
vision for  national  defence  ;  the  means  of  holding 
intercourse  with  foreign  nations ;  establishing  a 
rule  of  naturalization  ;  uniformity  in  the  currency, 
Aveights  and  measures  of  the  United  States  ;  and 
the  promotion  of  science  and  literature. 

"  Knowledge,"  he  observed,  *'  is  in  every  coun- 
try the  surest  basis  of  publick  happiness.  In  one, 
in  which  the  measures  of  government  receive  their 
impressions  so  immediately  from  the  sense  of  the 
community  as  in  ours.  It  is  proportionably  essential." 
And  he  concluded  with  the  following  assurances. 

"  I  shall  derive  great  satisfaction  in  cooperating 
with  you  in  the  pleasing  though  arduous  task  of  in- 
suring to  our  fellow  citizens  the  blessings  which 
they  have  a  r?ght  to  expect  from  a  free,  efficient  and 
equal  government." 

The  answers  of  the  Senate  and  the  House  of 
Representatives  were   cordial   and   respectful,   and 


556  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1790-5, 

promised  a  continuance  of  harmony  between  the 
Executive  and  Legislature. 

In  this  session  of  Congress,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  first  reported  those  fiscal  arrangements  in 
support  of  publick  credit,  which,  in  their  progress 
to  establishment,  were  the  occasion  of  warm  and  an- 
imated debates  in  the  Legislature,  fully  displayed 
the  discordance  of  political  opinion  among  the  mem- 
bers, and  excited  that  party  spirit  which  has  since 
convulsed  the  United  States. 

The  President  readily  gave  his  sanction  to  these 
fiscal  establishments  of  the  Legislature,  yet  by  this 
act  he  seemed  not  to  lose  the  good  opinion  of  the 
opposition  ;  the  blame  and  odium  fell  upon  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Treasury,  and  upon  the  northern  federal 
members  of  Congress. 

The  incessant  application  to  business  had  a  visi- 
ble effect  upon  the  constitution  of  the  President, 
and  at  this  period  he  was  for  a  second  time  attacked 
with  a  violent  disease,  which  put  his  life  in  immi- 
nent danger.  At  the  close  of  the  session,  therefore, 
he  determined  to  give  himself  a  short  relaxation 
in  a  visit  to  Mount  Vernon.  He  first  made 
a  tour  to  Rhode  Island,  which  not  being  then  in  the 
Union,had  not  been  included  in  his  visit  to  NewEng- 
land,  and  at  Newport  and  Providence  received  every 
attention  which  affection  and  respect  could  dictate. 
This  retirement  was  of  essential  service  to  his 
health,  and  at  the  close  of  autumn  he  returned  to 
Philadelphia  to  meet  the  Legislature  ;  to  \vliich 
place  Congress  had  adjourned,  at  the  close  of  the 
year  1790.     At  this  time  the  President  noticed  tlie 


1790-5.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  597 

rising  disturbances  in  Europe,  and  advised  to  those 
precautionary  measures,  v/hich  had  a  tendency  to 
secure  to  the  United  States  the  benefit  of  their  com- 
merce. Mentioning  to  the  House  the  sufficiency 
of  the  established  revenue  to  the  purposes  to  which 
it  was  appropriated,  he  expressed  his  hope  "  that 
it  would  be  a  favourite  policy  with  them  not  merely 
to  secure  the  interest  of  the  debt  funded,  but  as  far, 
and  as  fl^st  as  the  growing  resources  of  the  country 
will  permit,  to  exonerate  it  of  the  principle  itself." 
The  address  was  closed  in  the  following  impressive 
manner. 

"In  pursuing  the  various  and  weighty  business 
of  the  present  session,  I  indulge  the  fullest  persua- 
sion that  your  consultations  will  be  marked  with 
wisdom,  and  animated  by  the  love  of  country.  In 
whatever  belongs  to  my  duty,  you  shall  have  all  the 
cooperation  which  an  undiminished  zeal  for  its  wel- 
fare can  inspire.  It  will  be  happy  for  us  both,  and 
our  best  reward,  if  by  a  successful  administration 
of  our  respective  trusts,  we  can  make  the  establish- 
ed government  more  and  more  instrumental  in  pro- 
moting the  good  of  our  fellow  citizens,  and  more 
and  more  the  object  of  their  attachment  and  confi- 
dence." 

The  respect  and  confidence  of  the  Legislature  in 
the  Executive  appeared  on  this  occasion  without 
diminution ;  although  one  of  the  measures  of  the 
President  was  for  the  first  time  condemned.  A 
member  from  Georgia  pronounced  the  treaty  with 
the  Creek  I  ndians  to  be  a  violation  of  the  rights  of 
that  state. 


SJ>8  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTOJf.  [1790-5. 

In  this  session  of  Congress  the  Bank  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  was  established.  Its  constitutionality- 
had  been  deeply  argued  in  the  Legislative  body, 
and  came  before  the  Executive  as  a  question  in- 
volving the  highest  national  interest.  It  was  review- 
ed in  the  Cabinet  with  the  deliberation  it  merited. 
The  Council,  on  this  occasion,  as  on  most  others, 
were  divided.  Messrs.  Jefferson  and  Randolph  were 
decided  that  the  law  was  unconstitutional.  Messrs. 
Hamilton  and  Knox  were  fully  convinced  of  its  con- 
stitutionality. The  President  called  upon  each 
member  of  his  Council  for  the  reasons  of  his  opin- 
ion in  writing.  These  he  maturely  weighed,  and 
being  convinced  himself  that  the  law  was  constitu- 
tional, put  his  signature  to  it. 

With  the  3d  of  March,  1791,  terminated  the  pe- 
riod of  the  first  Congress. 

President  Washington  having  made  the  ne- 
cessary arrangements,  and  appointed  an  Executive 
Council  to  attend  to  the  business  of  the  g-overnment, 
soon  after  the  close  of  the  session,  commenced  a 
journey  to  the  Southern  States.  On  his  way  he 
stopped  at  the  Potomack,  and  pursuant  to  the  pow- 
ers with  which  Congress  had  vested  him,  marked 
out  the  site  of  the  Federal  City,  designed  as  the 
permanent  seat  of  government.  In  the  course  of 
this  tour  he  received  the  same  general  expressions 
of  love  and  veneration  for  his  character,  and  of 
confidence  in  his  government,  which  he  had  expe- 
rienced in  his  northern  circuit.  And  he  derived 
great  satisfaction  in  contemplating  the  improvements 
of  the  countr}^,  and  remarking  the  evidences  of  at- 


[1790-5.  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  399 

tachment  to  the  Federal  Government.  The  feelings 
excited  by  this  journey  are  fully  expressed  in 
the  following  letter,  written  after  his  return  to  Phi- 
ladelphia. 

*'  In  my  late  tour  through  the  Southern  States,  I 
experienced  great  satisfaction  in  seeing  the  good  ef- 
fects of  the  general  government  in  that  part  of  the 
union.  The  people  at  large  have  felt  the  security 
which  it  gives,  and  the  equal  justice  which  it  ad- 
ministers to  them.  The  Farmer,  the  Merchant, 
and  the  Mechanick,  have  seen  their  several  interests 
attended  to,  and  from  thence  they  unite  in  placing  a 
confidence  in  their  Representatives,  as  well  as  in 
tliose  in  whose  hands  the  execution  of  the  laws  is 
placed.  Industry  has  there  taken  place  of  idle- 
ness, and  economy  of  dissipation.  Two  or  three 
years  of  good  crops,  and  a  ready  market  for  the 
produce  of  their  lands,  have  put  every  one  in  good 
humour ;  and  in  some  instances,  they  even  impute 
to  the  government  what  is  due  only  to  the  goodness 
of  Providence. 

"  The  establishment  of  publick  credit  is  an  im- 
mense point  gained  in  our  national  concerns.  This 
I  believe  exceeds  the  expectatio/i  of  the  most  san- 
guine among  us  ;  and  a  late  instance,  unparalleled 
in  this  country,  has  been  given  of  the  confidence 
reposed  in  our  measures,  by  the  rapidity  with  which 
the  subscriptions  to  the  Bank  of  the  United  States 
were  filled.  In  two  hours  after  the  books  were^ 
opened  by  the  commissioners,  the  whole  number  of 
shares  were  taken  up,  and  four  thousand  more  ap- 
plied for  than   were   allowed  by    the    institution. 


400  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1790-5. 

This  circumstance  was  not  only  pleasing  as  it  relat- 
ed to  the  confidence  in  government,  but  also  as  it 
exhibited  an  unexpected  proof  of  the  resources  of 
our  citizens." 

The  hearts  of  all  Americans  were  with  General 
Washington  at  this  period  ;  but  notwithstanding 
these  publick  appearances,  there  was  in  fact  much 
hostility  to  the  government  at  the  Southward. 

On  the  24th  of  October,  1791.  the  President 
met  the  second  Congress  in  the  established  form. 

During  this  session  a  great  national  question 
came  before  the  Legislature  which  the  President  was 
necessitated  ultimately  to  decide. 

The  constitution  provides  that  there  shall  not  be 
more  than  one  Representative  to  thirty  thousand  in- 
habitants. An  enumeration  having  been  made, 
the  House  of  Representatives  passed  a  bill  provid- 
ing for  each  state  to  send  one  Representative  for 
every  thirty  thousand  of  its  population.  This  ratio 
in  several  instances  leaving  a  large  fraction,  oper- 
ated hardly  on  the  small  states.  The  Senate,  to  cure 
the  evil,  assumed  a  new  principle  of  apportionment. 
They  found  the  whole  population  of  theUnited  States, 
and  dividing  this  aggregate  number  by  thirty  thous- 
and, took  the  quotient  as  the  number  of  Representa- 
tives, and  then  apportioned  this  number  upon  the  sev- 
eral states  according  to  their  population ;  to  which  the 
House  concurred. 

When  the  President  had  the  bill  before  him  for 
his  signature,  he  took  the  opinion  of  his  Cabinet 
upon  the  constitutionality  of  the  arrangement.  Mr. 
Jefferson  and  Mr.  Randolph  thought  the  bill  uncon- 


1T90-5.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  401 

stitutional.  General  Knox  was  undecisive,  and 
Colonel  Hamilton  conceived  that  the  expression  of 
the  Constitution  might  be  applied  to  the  United 
States,  or  to  the  several  states,  and  thought  it  best  to 
coincide  with  the  construction  of  the  Legislature. 
After  due  deliberation,  the  President  thought  the 
biir  unconstitutional,  and  not  hesitating  to  do  his 
duty,  he  returned  it  with  the  following  objections. 

"  GENTLEMEN    OF    THE 

HOUSE    OF    REPRESENTATIVES, 

"  I  have  maturely  considered  the  act,  passed 
by  the  two  Houses,  entitled  *  an  act  for  the  appor- 
tionment of  Representatives  among  the  several  states 
according  to  the  first  enumeration,'  and  I  return  it 
to  your  House,  wherein  it  originated,  with  the  fol- 
lowing objections. 

"First,  The  Constitution  has  prescribed  that 
Representatives  shall  be  apportioned  among  the  sev- 
eral states  according  to  their  respective  numbers, 
and  there  is  no  proportion  or  division  which,  applied 
to  the  respective  numbers  of  the  states,  will  yield  the 
number,  and  allotment  of  Representatives  propose^ 
by  the  bill. 

*'  Secondly,  The  Constitution  has  also  provided, 
that  the  number  of  Representatives  shall  not  exceed 
one  for  thirty  thousand,  which  restriction  is  by  fair 
and  obvious  construction,  to  be  applied  to  the  sepa- 
rate and  respective  numbers  of  the  states,  and  the 
bill  has  allotted  to  eight  of  the  states  more  than  one 
for  thirty  thousand." 

In  a  new  bill,  a  Representative  for  every  thirty- 
three  thousand  to  each  state  was  substituted. 

D  D  D 


4.02  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1790-5. 

The  first  Presidency  of  General  Washington 
closed  without  other  occurrences  of  great  magni- 
tude. The  last  session  of  the  second  Congress  was 
violent  and  impassioned,  and  the  members  separated 
in  a  state  of  great  irritation,  but  neither  they  nor 
their  constituents  had  as  yet  impeached  the  motives 
of  the  President,  yet  it  was  evident  that,  if  he  should 
remain  at  the  head  of  government,  his  reputation 
must  soon  pass  the  ordeal  of  party  conflict.  He  had 
determined  to  decline  being  a  candidate  for  the  Presi- 
dency at  a  second  election,  and  to  this  purpose,  had 
written  a  valedictory  address  to  the  American  people  ; 
but  the  critical  state  of  the  country,  and  the  urgent 
intreaties  of  his  friends  induced  him  to  relinquish 
the  determination. 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  403 


CHAPTER    XII. 


General  WASHi^JCfoij-reelected  President. ...State  of  Parties.... 
Division  in  the  Cabinet. ...The  President  endeavours  to  firo-' 
mote  union,  ...Injiuence  of  the  French  Revolution... .Measures 
to  secure  the  J^eutrality  of  the  United  States  in  the  War  be- 
tween France  and  England. ...Mr.  Genet's  illegal  practices 
....He  insults  the  Government. ...The  Executive  restricts  him 
....He  appeals  to  the  People. ...They  support  the  Administra' 
tion....The  President  determines  to  arrest  Genet. ...He  is  re- 
called. ...Negotiation  nvith  Britain. ...Insurrection  in  Pennsyl- 
vania....Democratick  Societies. ...British  Treaty ...  .Communi- 
cation between  the  French  Executive  and  the  Legislature  of 
the  United  States. ...The  President  refuses  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  the  Papers  respecting  Diplomatick  transac- 
tions....His  interpositions  in  favour  of  the  Marquis  La  Fay- 
ette....Takes  the  Son  of  the  Marquis  under  his  Protection 
und  Patronage. 

1793-7.  "When  the  constitutional  period  ar- 
rived for  the  reelection  of  a  President,  it  appeared, 
that  General  Washington  had  a  second  time  the 
unanimous  suffrage  of  his  country  for  this  exalted 
office.  He  entered  upon  its  duties  in  the  prospect, 
that  the  administration  of  the  government  would  be 
attended  with  accumulated  difficulty. 

The  character  of  the  American  patriot  is  with 
reluctance  blended  in  these  pages  with  events  of  a 
local  or  temporary  nature.  It  is  })ainful  to  reflect, 
that  his  fair  fame  was  even  for  a  moment  sullied  by 


404  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  £1^93-7- 

the  foul  breath  of  calumny.  The  pen  is  indigantto 
record  charges  against  his  honour  and  his  patriot- 
ism, charges  which  their  authors  knew  to  be  un- 
founded, and  which  were  made  only  to  answer  the 
purposes  of  a  party.  But  it  is  impossible  to  portray 
the  wisdom,  the  firmness  and  prudence  which  were 
displayed  during  his  second  Presidency,  or  to  shew 
the  good  fortune  which  attended  it,  without  bring, 
ing  into  distinct  view  the  circumstances  under  which 
he  acted.  Without  a  knowledge  of  the  difficulties 
which  he  surmounted,  and  the  opposition  which  he 
conquered,  posterity  will  have  no  adequate  concep- 
tion of  the  merits  of  this  period  of  his  administra- 
tion. 

The  difference  of  political  opinion  arising  from 
pursuits  of  personal  ambition,  from  discordant  views 
of  national  and  state  policy,  and  from  the  danger  to  be 
apprehended  from  the  encroachments  of  democrac)^, 
or  from  the  abuse  of  power  in  the  constituted  gov- 
ernment, had,  since  the  establishment  of  the  Federal 
Constitution  regularly  increased  in  strength  and  as- 
perity. It  had  appeared  in  all  the  important  debates 
of  Congress,  had  pervaded  every  part  of  the  United 
States,  and  under  its  influence,  two  political  parties 
were  by  tiiis  time  fully  established,  and  nearly  bal- 
anced ;  the  one  the  warm  advocates,  the  other  the 
determined  opponents  of  the  measures  of  the  govcrn- 
Snent. 

Although  the  President  had  readily  given  his 
sanction  to  those  acts  of  the  gc  i  ei  nment  which  had 
agitvited  in  the  highest  degree  the  passions  of  parties, 
yet  there  was  that  in  his  character  Vv  hich  forbid  luji 


1793^7.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  405 

political  enemies  to  denominate  him  the  head  of  a 
party.  He  had  strong  hold  of  the  affections  and  con- 
fidence of  the  great  mass  of  his  countrymen,  and  the 
most  daring  of  the  oppositionists  thought  it  as  yet 
impolitick  to  assail  his  patriotism  ;  but  a  crisis  was 
evidently  approaching,  when  he  would  be  necessi- 
tated to  put  his  personal  influence  to  hazard,  to  sub- 
ject himself  to  the  obloquy  of  a  virulent  party,  and 
to  sustain  the  assault  of  disappointed  ambition. 

Unfortunately  the  spirit  of  political  controversy 
and  division,  which  agitated  the  nation,  entered  the 
Cabinet  of  the  Executive,  and  discovered  itself  in 
almost  every  important  subject  that  was  submitted 
to  their  discussion.  Ou'ing  to  constitutional  com- 
plexion of  mind,  or  to  general  habits  of  reflection, Mr. 
Jefferson  and  Mr.  Hamilton  were  directly  opposed  to 
each  other  on  almost  all  important  national  ques- 
tions. This  opposition  being  frequently  warmed 
by  the  collision  of  debate,  finally  settled  into  impla- 
cable political  and  personal  animosity.  The  Presi* 
dent  noticed  this  hostility  between  his  counsellors 
with  grief  and  mortification  ;  and  unwilling  to  part 
with  either,  he  endeavoured  to  reconcile  them.  In  a 
letter  addressed  to  the  Secretary  of  State  in  August 
1792,  after  stating  the  critical  situation  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  with  respect  to  foreign  nations,  he  thus 
feelingly  touched  upon  the  animosity  that  existed  in 
the  Cabinet. 

"  How  unfortunate,  how  much  to  be  regretted 
then,  that  while  we  are  encompassed  on  all  sides  with 
avowed  enemies,  and  insidious  friends,  internal  dis- 
sections should  be  harrowing  and  tearing  our  vitals. 


406  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [l793-7« 

Thelast,to  mc,is  the  most  serious,  the  most  alarming, 
and  the  most  afflicting  ol'  the  two ;  and  without  more 
charity  for  the  opinions  of  one  another  in  government 
matters,  or  some  more  infallible  criterion  by  which 
the  truth  of  speculative  opinions,  before  they  have 
undergone  the  test  of  experience,  are  to  be  forejudg- 
ed than  has  yet  fallen  to  the  lot  of  fallibility,  I  believe 
it  will  be  difficult  if  not  impracticable  to  manage  the 
reins  of  government,  or  keep  the  parts  of  it  togeth- 
er ;  for  if,  instead  of  laying  our  slioulders  to  the 
machine,  after  measures  are  decided  on,  one  pulls 
this  way,  and  another  that,  before  the  utility  of  the 
thing  is  fairly  tried,  it  must  inevitably  be  torn  asun- 
der ;  and  in  my  opinion,  the  fairest  prospect  of  hap- 
piness and  prosperity  that  ever  was  presented  to 
man,  will  be  lost,  perhaps  forever. 

*'  My  earnest  wish  and  fondest  hope  therefore 
is,  that  instead  of  wounding  suspicions,  and  irritat- 
ing charges,  there  may  be  liberal  allowances,  mu- 
tual forbearances,  and  temporising  yielding  on  all 
sides.  Under  the  exercise  of  these,  matters  will 
go  on  smoothly,  and  if  possible,  more  prosperously. 
Without  them,  every  thing  must  rub  ;  the  wheels 
of  government  will  clog ;  our  enemies  will  triumph  ; 
and  by  throwing  their  weight  into  the  disaffected 
scale,  may  accomplish  the  ruin  of  the  goodly  fabrick 
we  have  been  erecting. 

*'  I  do  not  mean  to  apply  this  advice,  or  these 
observations,  to  any  particular  person  or  character. 
I  have  given  them  in  the  same  general  terras  to  oth- 
er officers  of  the  government,  because  the  disagree- 
ments which  have  arisen  from  difference  of  opinions. 


1793-7.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  407 

and  the  attacks  which  have  been  made  upon  almost 
all  the  measures  of  government,  and  most  of  its  ex- 
ecutive officers,  have  for  a  long  time  past  filled  me 
with  painful  sensations,  and  cannot  fail,  I  think,  of 
producing  unhappy  consequences,  at  home  and 
abroad." 

To  a  letter  of  Mr.  Jefferson's,  in  which  he  en- 
deavoured to  prove,  that  although  he  wished  to  a- 
mend,  yet  he  had  advocated  the  adoption  of  the 
Federal  Constitution,  the  President  thus  replied. 

"  I  did  not  require  the  evidence  of  the  extracts 
which  you  enclosed  me,  to  convince  me  of  your  at- 
tachment to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States, 
or  of  your  disposition  to  promote  the  general  welfare 
of  this  country  ;  but  I  regret,  deeply  regret,  the 
difference  of  opinion  which  has  arisen,  and  divided 
you  and  another  principal  officer  of  the  government ; 
and  wish  devoutly  there  could  be  an  accommodation 
of  them  by  mutual  yieldings. 

'*  A  measure  of  this  sort  would  produce  harmo- 
ny and  consequent  good  in  our  publick  Councils ; 
and  the  contrary  will  inevitably  produce  confusion 
and  serious  mischiefs  ;  and  for  what  ?  Because 
mankind  cannot  see  alike,  but  would  adopt  different 
means  to  obtain  the  same  end.  For  1  will  frankly 
and  solemnly  declare,  that  I  believe  the  vie\vs  of  both 
to  be  pure  and  well  meant,  and  that  experience  only 
will  decide  with  respect  to  the  salubrity  of  the  meas- 
ures which  are  the  subject  of  this  dispute.  Why 
then,  when  some  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  men  of  discernment,  uniform  and  tried  pat- 
riots, who  have  no  sinister  views  to  promote,  but 


408  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [iTQS-t. 

are  chaste  in  their  ways  of  thinking  and  acting,  are 
to  be  found,  some  on  one  side,  and  some  on  the  oth- 
er of  the  questions  which  have  caused  these  agita- 
tions ;  why  should  either  of  you  be  so  tenacious  of 
your  opinions  as  to  make  no  allowance  for  those  of 
the  other  ? 

"  I  could,  and  indeed  was  about  to  add  more  on. 
this  interesting  subject,  but  will  forbear  at  least  for 
the  present,  after  expressing  a  wish  that  the  cup 
which  has  been  presented  to  us  may  not  be  snatch^ 
ed  from  our  lips  by  a  discordance  of  action,  when 
I  am  persuaded  that  there  is  no  discordance  in  your 
views.  I  have  a  great  and  sincere  esteem  for  you 
both ;  and  ardently  wish  that  some  line  could  be 
marked  out,  by  which  both  of  you  could  walk.'* 

These  serious  endeavours  of  the  President  pro- 
duced  not  their  desired  effect.  The  hostility  of  the 
two  Secretaries  remained  in  full  force.  The  Attorney 
General  almost  without  exception  coincided  in  opin- 
ion with  Mr.  Jefferson  ;  the  Secretary  of  War  geiierally 
accorded  in  judgment  with  Colonel  Hamilton,  and  of 
consequence  the  President  was  deprived  of  the  prop- 
er advice  of  his  Council.  But  he  possessed  in  a  degree 
which  few  other  men  ever  did,  the  faculty  to  sus* 
pend  his  own  judgment  on  every  important  subject, 
initil  he  had  exhausted  every  source  of  information, 
and  had  fully  weighed  the  opinions  of  those  about 
him.  He  early  established  it  as  a  maxim  never  to 
give  his  opinion  on  any  important  question,  until 
the  moment  that  a  decision  was  necessary,  and  from 
a  rigid  adherence  to  this  maxim,  on  many  critical 
•ccasions   he  derived  singular  advantage.     In  de- 


[1793-7.  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  409 

liberating  upon  national  subjects  submitted  to  him 
as  the  Supreme  Executive,  he  appeared  to  be  raised 
above  the  influence  of  passions,  prejudice,  and  eve- 
ry personal  and  local  consideration ;  and  having 
given  every  circumstance  its  weight,  to  decide  from 
the  dictates  of  pure  intelligence. 

This  was  the  political  situation  of  the  United 
States,  when  the  French  revolution  had  made  such 
progress  as  to  acquire  an  influence  over  the  feelings 
and  the  sentiments  of  the  American  people,  and  to 
render  the  diplomatick  concerns  of  the  government 
with  that  country  critical  and  embarrassing. 

Mr.  Morris,  the  American  Minister  at  Paris, 
with  much  discrimination  noticed  the  surprising 
events  that  were  daily  taking  place  in  France,  and 
transmitted  a  minute  account  of  them  to  the  Presi- 
dent ;  but  while  waiting  for  instructions,  he  cau- 
tiously avoided  committing  the  government  of  his 
own  country. 

On  the  deposition  of  the  Monarch,  with  all  the 
bloody  and  ferocious  deeds  which  accompanied  it, 
the  President  gave  Mr.  Morris  the  following  infor- 
mation for  the  direction  of  his  ministerial  conduct. 
The  existing  administration  in  France  was  to  be 
acknowledged ;  as  every  nation  possesses  an  inherent 
riglit  to  settle  the  frame  of  its  own  government,  and 
to  manage  its  internal  concerns ;  that  the  United 
States  would  punctually  pay  the  debt  due  to  France, 
and  would  furnish  any  supplies  to  St.  Domingo  that 
the  parent  country  might  desire.  Mr.  Morris  was 
directed  to  assure  France  of  the  friendly  disposition 

E  E  E 


410  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

of  the  United  States,   and  that  every  opportunity 
would  be  embraced  to  promote  her  welfare. 

Attached  to  republican  principles,  the  President 
fondly  hoped  that  the  struggle  in  France  would  ter- 
minate in  a  free  government ;  but  his  partiality  to- 
wards the  new  order  of  things  in  that  country,  was 
not  so  great  as  to  render  him  forgetful  that  the  aid 
given  to  America  was  afforded  by  the  fallen  king,  or 
unmindful  that  he  was  the  head  of  his  own  nation, 
whose  independence  and  prosperity  he  ought  to 
hold  in  higher  estimation  than  the  interest  of  a  for- 
eign people. 

The  prejudices  and  partialities  of  the  American 
people  towards  England  and  France,  excited  by  the 
revolutionary  contest,  had  not  at  this  period  wholly 
subsided,  and  the  commencement  of  war  between 
regenerated  France  and  the  Monarchs  of  Europe, 
operated  upon  their  feelings  like  a  shock  of  electric- 
ity. Reason  and  judgment  seemed  to  be  laid  aside, 
and  nothing  was  heard  but  the  language  of  passion. 
Without  inquiring  which  nation  was  the  first  ag- 
gressor, Americans  saw  a  number  of  despots  com- 
bined against  a  sister  Republick,  virtuously  strug- 
gling to  establish  her  liberty.  Their  national  vanity 
was  flattered  by  the  persuasion  that  the  spark  which 
lit  the  flame  of  liberty  in  France,  was  taken  from 
their  altar,  or,  in  the  language  of  Dr.  Franklin,  "  the 
French  having  served  an  apprenticeship  in  America, 
set  up  for  themselves  in  Europe.'* 

If  a  few  individuals  more  cool,  doubted  the  ten- 
dency, and  dreaded  the  issue  of  the  commotions  in 
France,  they  were  generally;  denominated  aristocrats, 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  411 

the  enemies  of  equal  liberty,  and  the  enemies  of  their 
own  country. 

Although  there  was  no  intention  in  the  body  of 
American  citizens  to  involve  the  United  States  in  a 
war,  yet  they  generally  discovered  an  ardent  inclina- 
tion to  grant  those  favours  to  France,  which  must 
inevitably  lead  to  a  state  of  hostility. 

The  President  was  at  Mount  Vernon  on  some 
urgent  private  business,  when  the  intelligence  of  the 
declaration  of  war  between  France  and  England 
reached  the  United  States.  Perceiving  the  impor- 
tance of  the  crisis,  he  with  haste  returned  to  the  seat 
of  government.  On  the  day  which  succeeded  that 
of  his  arrival,  April  17,  1793,  he  addressed  the  fol- 
lowing letter  to  the  members  of  his  Cabinet,  for 
their  solemn  deliberations. 

"  The  posture  of  affairs  in  Europe,  particularly 
between  France  and  Great  Britain,  places  the  United 
States  in  a  delicate  situation,  and  requires  much 
consideration  of  the  measures  which  will  be  proper 
for  them  to  observe  in  the  war  between  those  pow- 
ers. With  a  view  to  forming  a  general  plan  of 
conduct  for  the  Executive,  I  have  stated  and  enclos- 
ed sundry  questions  to  be  considered,  preparatory 
to  a  meeting  at  my  house  tomorrow,  where  I  shall 
expect  to  see  you  at  9  o'clock,  and  to  receive  the  re^ 
suit  of  your  reflections  thereon. 

'*  Question  I.  Shall  a  Proclamation  issue  for 
the  purpose  of  preventing  interferences  of  the  citi- 
zens of  the  United  States  in  the  war  between 
France  and  Great  Britain,  &c.  ?     Shall  it  contain  a 


412  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1793-7, 

declaration  of  neutrality  or  not?  What  shall  it 
contain  ? 

"  Question  II.  Shall  a  minister  from  the  Repub- 
lick  of  France  be  received  ? 

"  Question  III.  If  received,  shall  it  be  abso^ 
lutely,  or  with  qualifications,  and  if  with  qualifica- 
tions, of  what  kind  ? 

"  Question  IV.  Are  the  United  States  obliged 
by  good  faith  to  consider  the  treaties  heretofore 
made  with  France,  as  applying  to  the  present  situ- 
ation of  the  parties  ?  May  they  cither  renounce 
them  or  hold  them  suspended  until  the  government 
of  France  shall  be  established? 

"  Question  V.  If  they  have  the  right, is  it  expe- 
dient to  do  either  ?     And  which  ? 

"  Question  VI.  If  they  have  an  option,  would 
it  be  a  breach  of  neutrality  to  consider  the  treaty 
still  in  operation  ? 

"  Question  VII.  If  the  treaties  are  to  be  con- 
sidered as  now  in  operation,  is  the  guarantee  in  the 
treaty  of  alliance  applicable  to  a  defensive  war  only, 
or  to  war  either  offensive  or  defensive  ? 

*'  Question  VIII.  Does  the  war  in  which 
France  is  engaged  appear  to  be  offensive  or  defen- 
sive on  her  part  ?  Or  of  a  mixed  and  equivocal 
character  ? 

"  Question  IX.  If  of  a  mixed  and  equivocal 
character,  does  the  guarantee  in  any  event  apply  to 
such  a  war  ? 

*'  Question  X.  V^hat  is  the  effect  of  a  guaran- 
tee, such  as  that  to  be  found  in  the  treaty  of  alliance 
between  the  United  States  and  France  ? 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  413 

"  Question  XI.  Does  any  article  in  either  of 
the  treaties  prevent  ships  of  war,  other  than  priva- 
teers, of  the  powers  opposed  to  France,  from  com- 
ing into  the  ports  of  the  United  States,  to  act  as 
convoys  to  their  own  merchantmen  ?  Or  docs  it  lay 
any  other  restraints  upon  them  more  than  would  ap- 
ply to  the  ships  of  war  of  France  ? 

'*  Question  XII.  Should  the  future  Regent  of 
France  send  a  minister  to  the  United  States  ?  ought 
he  to  be  received  ? 

"  Question  XIII.     Is  it  necessary  or  advisable 
to  call  together  the  two  Houses  of  Congress  with  a 
view  to  the  present  posture  of  European  affairs  ?    If 
it  is,  what  should  be  the  particular  objects  of  such  a 
call?" 

On  some  of  these  questions  he  had  already  made 
up  his  mind,  as  appears  from  his  communications  to 
Mr.  Morris,  but  he  thought  it  expedient  to  take  a 
view  of  the  whole  subject. 

At  the  proposed  meeting,  the  Cabinet  unani- 
mously recommended  to  the  President  to  issue  a 
Proclamation  of  Neutrality,  forbidding  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States  to  engage  in  any  act  of  hostility 
against  either  of  the  belligerent  powers,  or  to  carry  ei- 
ther of  them  articles,  contraband  of  war,  and  requir- 
ing them  to  refrain  from  all  acts,  unfriendly  towards 
nations  with  whom  the  United  States  were  at  peace. 
This  Proclamation,  the  Executive  immediately  is- 
sued. 

It  was  unanimously  recommended  to  the 
President  to  receive  a  Minister  from  the  Frencli 
Republick.      The  Cabinet  was  also  united  in  the 


414  LIFK    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

opinion,  that  it  was  inexpedient  to  call  Congress  to- 
gether. On  the  other  questions  the  usual  difference 
of  sentiment  existed.  The  Secretary  of  State  and 
the  Attorney  General  conceived  that  the  changes  in 
the  government  of  France  made  no  essential  differ- 
ence in  the  relation  of  the  two  nations  ;  but  that  in 
all  respects  the  intercourse  should  proceed  on  princi- 
ples established  with  tlie  monarch}^  The  Secreta- 
ries of  the  Treasury  and  of  War,  admitted  the  right 
of  a  nation  to  change  the  form  of  its  government  at 
will,  but  denied  its  right  to  involve  other  nations  in 
all  the  consequences  of  alterations,  they  might  be 
disposed  to  make.  The  convulsions  of  France  they 
thought  threatened  dangers  to  nations  in  alliance 
with  her,  and  maintained  that  the  United  States 
were  at  liberty  to  suspend  the  operation  of  treaties, 
with  that  country  when  it  was  necessary  for  their 
own  safety. 

Messrs.  Jefferson  and  Randolph  also  contended 
that  it  was  inexpedient  to  come  to  any  decision  res- 
pecting the  application  of  the  article  of  the  guarantee 
to  the  present  government.  Messrs.  Hamilton  and 
Knox  were  of  opinion  that  France  being  the  aggres- 
sor, the  war  on  her  part  was  offensive,  that  the 
guarantee  respecting  only  defensive  war,  did  not 
apply  to  the  present  state  of  things. 

The  President  again  required  the  reasons  in 
writing  of  each  opinion,  and  after  due  investigation 
established  those  maxims  for  the  support  of  neutral 
rights,  which  he  firmly,  but  temperately  maintained 
through  the  succeeding  period  of  his  administration  ; 
and  which,   amidst  conflicts  that  prostrated  the  sta. 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  415 

blest  pillars  of  old  European  governments,  preserv- 
ed his  country  from  the  miseries  of  war. 

In  the  state  of  the  publick  sentiment  which  wc 
have  noticed,  Mr.  Genet  landed  April  8th,  at 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  as  the  Minister  of  Re- 
publican France.  Ardent  in  the  constitutional  tem- 
perament of  his  mind,  inflated  with  the  zeal  of  a 
new  convert  to  the  doctrine  of  liberty  and  equality, 
he  conceived  that  the  enlightened  world  felt  an  high 
interest  in  the  revolution  of  his  country,  and  that 
every  man  of  virtue  uas  disposed  to  espouse  her 
cause.  His  reception  at  Charleston  was  calculated 
to  increase  his  most  sanguine  views.  From  the 
Suj;)reme  Magistrate  of  the  state,  and  from  every 
class  of  citizens,  he  received  warm  expressions  of  en. 
thusiastick  devotion  to  the  new  Republick.  Taking 
these  as  evidence  of  the  general  disposition  of  the  A- 
merican  people  he  did  not  wait  to  present  his  official 
letter  to  the  Executive,  and  to  be  accredited  by  him  ; 
but  availins;  him&elf  of  the  favourable  situation  of 
Charleston  to  fit  out  privateers  against  the  West  In- 
dian trade,  he  presumed  to  authorise  the  arming  of 
ships  in  that  port,  and  to  give  commissions  to  cruise 
against  the  commerce  of  a  nation  with  whom  the 
United  States  were  at  amity.  Prizes  taken  by  these 
privateers  were  brought  into  American  harbours, 
and  French  Consuls  were  opening  Courts  of  Admi- 
ralty to  condemn  them. 

From  Charleston  Mr.  Genet  travelled  by  land  to 
Philadelphia,  receiving  in  every  part  of  his  way 
the  same  ardent  declarations  of  attachment  to 
•France.     Although  the   unwarrantable  conduct  of 


416  LITE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1793-7* 

Mr.  Genet  at  Charleston  was  well  known  in  Phila- 
delphia, yet  his  entrance  into  the  city  was  rendered 
pompous  and  triumphal,  and  "  crowds  flocked  from 
every  avenme  of  the  city  to  meet  the  Republican 
Ambassador  of  an  allied  nation."  On  the  day  after 
his  arrival,  addresses  were  presented  to  him  froni 
particular  societies,  and  from  individual  citizens,  in 
which  they  expressed  their  exultation  at  the  victo- 
ries of  France,  and  declared  that  in  their  opinion, 
her  success  was  essential  to  the  safety  of  the  Ameri- 
can states. 

On  the  18th  of  May  he  presented  his  credentials 
to  the  President.  These  contained  respectful  senti- 
ments towards  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
and  abounded  with  devotions  to  the  American  peo- 
ple. The  President  received  him  in  an  open  and 
ingenuous  manner,  and  with  sincerity  expressed  his 
regard  for  the  French  nation. 

In  this  conference,  Mr.  Genet  declared  that  his 
government  had  no  desire  to  engage  the  United 
States  in  the  European  war,  but  wished  them  to  pur- 
sue their  own  interest  ;  yet  he  persisted  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  his  assumed  power,  and  a  French  privateer 
captured  an  English  merchantman  within  the  Capes 
of  the  Delaware,  while  on  her  way  to  the  ocean. 
This  prize  being  taken  in  the  waters  of  the  United 
States,  and  therefore  under  the  control  of  the  gov- 
ernment, the  British  minister  complained  of  this 
illicit  proceeding,  and  demanded  restitution  of  the 
property  unlawfully  taken  from  his  countrymen. 

The  Cabinet  unanimously  agreed  that  the  pro- 
ceedings of  Mr.  Genet  were  i;iot  warranted  by  any 


1793^7.]        LIFE  or  Washington.  417 

existing  treaties  between  the  two  nations,  were  there- 
fore violations  of  neutral  rights,  and  that  the  govern- 
ment ought  to  prevent  the  repetition  of  them.  They 
also  agreed  that  restitution  ought  to  be  made,  of  the 
prize  taken  within  the  waters  of  the  Delaware. 

Respecting  prizes  taken  upon  the  high  seas,  in 
virtue  of  commissions  issued  by  Genet,  and  brought 
into  the  American  ports,  the  Cabinet  were  divided. 
Mr.  Jefferson  and  Mr.  Randolph  held- that  the  gov- 
ernment was  under  no  obligation  to  restore  them  to 
their  original  owners.  Colonel  Hsanilton  and  Gen- 
eral Knox  contended  that,  to  maintain  an  honest 
neutrality,  the  United  States  were  bound  to  restore 
the  prizes. 

The  President  took  time  to  deliberate  on  those 
points  on  which  his  Council  were  not  agreed. 

Principles  in  which  they  were  united,  he  estab- 
lished ;  and  directed  the  Secretary  of  State  to  give 
the  necessary  information  to  the  Ministers  of  France 
and  Britain. 

Mr.  Genet  complained  heavily  of  these  rules  of 
the  American  Government,  as  a  violation  of  neutral 
right,  and  as  a  breach  of  existing  treaties  between 
the  two  nations.    • 

In  his  comments  upon  these  treaties,  he  claim- 
ed for  France  every  thing  which  the  two  nations 
had  bound  themselves  not  to  grant  to  other  coun- 
tries, converting  negative  stipulations  which  respect- 
ed other  nations,  into  grants  of  positive  privileges  to 
the  contracting  parties. 

He  was  informed,  that  out  of  respect  to  h'lm^ 
the  subject  had  been  reviewed  in   the  Cabinet  j 

y  F  1 


418  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

but  that  the  President  saw  no  reason  to  change  his 
opinion.  Mr.  Genet  still  refused  acquiescence,  and 
seemed  to  have  entertained  the  expectation,  that  he 
should  be  able  so  far  to  avail  himself  of  the  partiality 
of  the  Americans  for  France,  as  to  bend  the  Admin- 
istration to  his  own  purposes,  or  to  overthrow  it. 

Prosecutions  having  been  commenced  against 
two  of  the  American  citizens,  whom  Genet  engaged 
at  Charleston,  to  cruise  in  the  service  of  France,  he 
demanded  these  men  of  the  civil  magistrate  who 
had  arrested  them,  in  the  following  very  extraordi- 
nary language. 

"  I  have  this  moment  been  informed  that  two  of- 
ficers in  the  service  of  the  Republick  of  France, 
citizens  Gideon  Henfield  and  John  Singletary,  have 
been  arrested  on  board  the  privateer  of  the  French 
Republick,  the  Citizen  Genet,  and  conducted  to 
prison.  The  crime  laid  to  their  charge,  the  crime 
which  my  mind  cannot  conceive,  and  which  my 
pen  almost  refuses  to  state,  is  the  serving  of  France, 
and  defending  with  her  childreil  the  common  glori- 
ous cause  of  liberty. 

"  Being  ignorant  of  any  positive  law,  or  treaty 
M'hich  deprives  Americans  of  this  privilege,  and  au- 
thorizes officers  of  police  arbitrarily  to  take  mariners 
in  the  service  of  France  from  on  board  their  vessels, 
I  call  upon  yom'  intervention,  sir,  and  that  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  in  order  to  obtain 
the  immediate  releasement  of  the  above  mentioned 
officers,  who  have  acquired  by  the  sentiments  ani- 
mating them,  and  by  the  act  of  their  engagement, 
anterior  to  every  act  to  the  conti-ary,  the  right  of 


1793-7.]  LiFi  or  Washington.  419 

French  citizens,  if  they  have  lost  that  of  American 
citizens." 

The  President  considered  this  insolent  demand 
as  an  attack  upon  the  honour  and  independence  of 
the  United  States  ;  but  without  noticing  the  intem- 
perate language  of  the  French  Minister,  he  steadily 
pursued  the  publick  interest. 

The  influential  individuals  of  that  portion  of  the 
American  people  who  had  been  opposed  to  the 
adoption  of  the  National  constitution,  and  were  op- 
posed to  the  measures  of  theAdministration  under  it, 
in  the  partialities  and  prejudices  manifested  through- 
out the  Union  towards  France  and  Great  Britain, 
saw  the  probable  means  to  weaken  the  confidence, 
and  alienate  the  affection  which  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States  manifested  towards  the  President ;  and 
in  this  way  to  bring  about  a  revolution  in  the  nation- 
al government.  In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  the  re- 
sentments and  the  enthusiastick  sympathies  of  the 
people  were  fostered  ;  and  democratick  societies,  in 
imitation  of  the  Jacobin  Club  in  Paris,  were  formed. 
The  victories  of  France  were  celebrated  by  feasts, 
bonfires,  and  other  publick  rejoicings. 

The  measures  adopted  by  the  Executive  to  pre- 
serve the  peace  of  the  nation,  were  vilified  in  the 
newspapers  devoted  to  the  opposition  ;  the  procla- 
mation of  neutrality  was  declared  to  be  an  exercise 
of  power,  with  which  the  Constitution  did  not  in- 
vest the  President  ;  and  the  measures  of  the  Admin- 
istration generally  were  pronounced  to  be  unfriendly 
to  France,  and  to  carry  evidence  of  their  intention  to 
break  with  that  Republick  and  to  join  in  the  royal 


420  IIFE    OF    WASHINGTON-*  [1793-7. 

crusade  against  liberty.  Mr.  Genet  was  justified  in 
the  construction  of  the  existing  treaties  betw^een  the 
two  nations,  and  he  was  urged  to  persist  in  his  oppo- 
sition to  the  measures  of  the  American  government. 

The  President  deeply  felt  the  insult  offered  to 
tlie  nation,  by  the  attempt  of  the  French  Minister 
to  continue  the  exercise  of  an  usurped  authority 
within  the  United  States ;  but  he  knew  the  impor- 
tance of  yielding  to  the  feelings  of  his  countrymen, 
as  far  as  consisted  with  the  dignity  of  his  station, 
and  with  the  independence,  the  peace  and  wel- 
fare of  his  country.  He  contented  himself  with 
confuting  in  a  cool  and  dispassionate  manner  the  ex-r 
travagant  positions  of  Mr.  Genet,  and  inflexibly  adf 
hered  to  his  system. 

Private  business  called  him  to  Mount  Vernon, 
and  he  was  absent  from  the  seat  of  government 
from  the  24th  of  June  to  the  11th  of  July.  During 
his  absence  the  Heads  of  Departments  superintended 
the  execution  of  the  measures  that  had  been  agreed 
upon  in  the  Cabinet,  At  this  time  an  event  took 
place,  which  fully  exhibits  the  rashness  of  the 
French  Minister,  and  shews  the  difficulty  to  which 
he  subjected  the  administration. 

A  French  privateer  brought  an  English  mer- 
chantman, the  little  Sarah,  into  Philadelphia.  This 
vessel  Genet  equipped  as  a  privateer.  Having 
mounted  fourteen  iron  cannon,  and  six  swivels,  and 
taken  on  board  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  a  num- 
ber of  whom  were  Americans,  she  was  about  to 
sail  under  the  name  of  La  Petite  Democrat.  In 
this  situation  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  reportcjl 


1793-7.3  I-IPE    OP    WASHINGTON.  421 

her  case  to  the  Secretaries  of  State  and  of  War.  Gov- 
ernour  Mifflin  was  in  consequence  requested  to  make 
examination,  and  on  the  14th  of  July  he  reported 
that  she  was  to  sail,  next  day.  By  desire  of  the 
Heads  of  Departments,  the  Governour  sent  Mr.Dal- 
lasj  Secretary  of  State  for  Pennsylvania,  to  request 
Mr.  Genet  to  relieve  them  from  the  disagreeable 
necessity  of  preventing  by  force  the  sailing  of  a  pri- 
vateer equipped  in  their  ports.  This  request  excit- 
ed in  that  Minister  the  most  violent  passion,  which 
he  vented  in  very  intemperate  and  abusive  language, 
declared  that  La  Petite  Democrat  would  repel  force 
by  force,  and  threatened  to  appeal  from  the  Execu- 
tive to  the  people.  Mr.  Jefferson  in  person  waited 
upon  him  to  renew  the  request,  that  he  would  order 
the  privateer  not  to  sail  until  the  pleasure  of  the 
President  could  be  known  ;  Mr.  Jefferson  report- 
ed, that  after  an  ebullition  of  passion,  and  some 
equivocation,  he  understood  Mr.  Genet  to  promise, 
that  the  privateer  should  fall  down  below  Chester, 
and  there  wait  the  will  of  the  President.  Colonel 
Hamilton  and  General  Knox  were  for  taking  meas- 
ures to  prevent  her  sailing,  but  Mr.  Jefferson,  pro- 
fessing his  confidence  in  the  promise  of  Mr.  Genet, 
opposed  them,  and  they  were  not  put  in  execution. 

These  proceedings  were  immediately  reported 
to  the  President  on  his  return  to  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment. Mr.  Jefferson  had  then  retired,  indisposed, 
to  his  country  house,  and  the  President  wrote  him 
as  follows  : 

"  What  is  to  be  done  in  the  case  of  the  Little 
Sarah,  now  at   Chester  ?     Is  the   Minister  of  the 


422  LI?E     OF    WASHINGT^M.  [1/93-7. 

French  Republick  to  set  the  acts  of  this  govern- 
ment  at  defiance  with  impunity  ?  And  threaten 
the  Executive  with  an  appeal  to  the  people  ?  What 
must  the  world  think  of  such  conduct  ?  And  of 
the  United  States  in  submitting  to  it  ? 

"  These  are  serious  questions.  Circumstances 
press  for  decision  ;  and  as  you  have  had  time  to 
consider  them,  upon  me  they  come  unexpectedly,  I 
wish  to  know  your  opinion  upon  them  even  before 
tomorrow,  for  the  vessel  may  then  be  gone." 

In  answer  to  this  letter,  the  Secretary  of  State 
informed  the  President,  that  Mr.  Genet  had  assured 
him  that  the  vessel  should  not  sail  before  the  decision 
of  the  Executive  respecting  it  should  be  known ; 
and  coercive  measures  were  therefore  suspended. 
In  Council  next  day,  it  was  determined  to  detain 
the  armed  vessels  of  belligerents  in  port.  This 
determination  was  made  known  to  Genet,  but  in 
contempt  of  it  the  privateer  sailed.  The  opposition 
applauded  even  this  act  of  resistance  in  the  French 
Minister.  The  unwearied  endeavour  of  the  Admin- 
istration, by  a  faithful  observance  of  treaties,  and 
an  impartial  treatment  towards  belligerent  powers, 
to  secure  the  blessings  of  peace,  and  the  rights  of 
neutrality  to  the  United  States,  was  construed  into 
a  violation  of  those  treaties,  and  into  an  insidious 
scheme  to  force  the  country  into  a  war  against 
France. 

The  French  Minister  persisted  in  his  exposition 
of  the  treaty,  and  in  repeated  letters,  written  in 
abusive  and  insulting  language,  to  the  Secretary  of 
State,  demanded  reparation  of  injuries  his  country 
had  sustained. 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  423 

The  President  was  at  length  convinced  of  the 
necessity  of  taking  effectual  measures  with  Genet, 
and  on  the  25th  of  July  he  wrote  the  following  let- 
ter to  Mr.  Jefferson. 

"  As  the  official  conduct  of  Mr.  Genet,  relative- 
ly to  the  affairs  of  this  government,  will  have  to 
undergo  a  very  serious  consideration,  so  soon  as 
the  special  court  at  which  the  Attorney  General  is 
now  engaged,  will  allow  him  to  attend  with  con- 
venience, in  order  to  decide  upon  measures  prop- 
er to  be  taken  thereupon,  it  is  my  desire  that  all 
the  letters  to  and  from  that  Minister  may  be  ready 
to  be  laid  before  me,  the  Heads  of  Departments, 
and  the  Attorney  General,  whom  I  shall  advise  with 
on  the  occasion,  together  with  the  minutes  of  sucli 
oral  communications  as  you  may  have  had  with 
him  on  the  subject  of  these  letters,  &:c.  And  as 
the  memorials  from  the  British  Minister,  and  an- 
swers thereto,  are  materially  connected  therewith, 
it  will  be  proper,  I  conceive,  to  hav'e  these  ready 
also." 

The  Executive  proceeded  with  the  unanimous 
consent  of  the  Cabinet,  to  establish  a  system  by 
which  to  regulate  the  intercourse  with  nations 
at  war.  The  rules  adopted,  evidence  the  unaltera- 
ble purpose  of  the  President,  sacredly  to  observe 
all  national  engagements,  and  honestly  to  perform 
every  duty  due  to  belligerent  powers  ;  and  to  insist 
upon  the  uninterrupted  exercise  of  the  rights  of 
neutrality  for  his  own  country.  It  was  also  agreed 
that  prizes  brought  into  American  ports,  by  priva- 
teers equipped  in  them,  should  be  restored,  or  com- 


424  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1793-7* 

pensation  be  made  for  them,  and  that  armed  vessels 
of  this  description  should  not  be  permitted  to  remain 
ill  American  harbours. 

The  regulations  were  communicated  to  the 
Ministers  of  the  belligerent  nations,  and  in  the  same 
letter,  the  privileges  stipulated  by  treaty  for  France 
were  stated,  and  a  solicitude  was  expressed  for  their 
security. 

x'^fter  deliberate  attention  to  the  conduct  and 
correspondence  of  the  French  Minister,  it  was 
agreed  that  a  letter  should  be  written  to  Mr.  Morris, 
American  Minister  at  Paris,  stating  the  reasons  on 
which  the  measures  of  the  Administration  with  belli- 
gerent nations  v/ere  founded,  giving  information  of 
the  disagreement  of  Mr.  Genet  with  the  government, 
jtnd  requesting  his  recal.  The  communication  to  the 
French  government  on  this  subject,  concluded  in 
the  following  manner.  "  After  independence  and 
self  government,  there  was  nothing  America  more 
sincerely  wished  than  perpetual  friendship  with 
them." 

The  threat  of  Mr.  Genet  to  appeal  from  the  Pres- 
ident to  the  people  being  reported  on  most  respect- 
able authority,  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  pub- 
lick  mind.  That  portion  of  the  American  people, 
which  were  originally  in  favour  of  adopting  the  Na- 
tional Constitution  of  government,  generally  approv- 
ed the  measures  of  the  Administration  ;  and  al- 
though they  thought  favourably  of  the  revolution 
of  France,  and  wished  well  to  her  cause,  yet  they 
were  indignant  at  the  insult  offered  by  her  minister 
to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United  States.     TIic 


I 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  425 

appeal  having  been  made  to  them,  they  felt  them- 
selves constrained  by  every  feeling  of  patriotism  to 
support  their  own  government  in  measures  they 
deemed  to  be  fair,  just  and  impartial.  In  every  part 
.  of  the  United  States,  the  people  assembled  in  their 
towns  and  districts,  to  express  their  opinions  on  pub- 
lick  measures.  The  contest  was  warm,  but  the  great 
majority  of  voices  was  found  on  the  side  of  the  Ad- 
ministration, its  measures  were  approved  ;  and  it 
fully  appeared  that  the  affection  and  confidence  of 
the  American  people  in  the  President,  existed  in 
their  force  and  efEcacy.  Yet  at  the  moment  that 
publick  indignation  was  expressed  at  the  attempt  to 
exercise  a  foreign  influence  over  the  American 
counsels,  it  was  evident  that  those  who  expressed  it, 
felt  a  strong  partiality  in  favourof  France  in  her  con- 
tention with  England. 

In  the  spirit  of  conciliation,  General  Washing- 
ton determined  not  to  take  violent  measures  with 
Genet,  until  the  result  of  the  complaint  lodged 
against  him  with  his  own  government,  should  be 
known,  and  with  magnanimity  he  bore  his  abuses. 
But  at  length,  patience  and  forbearance  were  out- 
raged. 

In  1794  the  French  Minister  deliberately  plan- 
ned two  expeditions  against  Spain,  to  be  carried  on 
from  the  United  States,  and  granted  commissions  to 
American  citizens  to  be  officers  in  them,  who  pri- 
vately inlisted  men  for  the  purpose.  The  conquest 
of  the  Floridas  was  the  object  of  one  of  these  expe- 
ditions, and  Georgia  was  the  place  of  rendezvous  for 
the  troops  destined  to  this  service.     The  other  was 

G  G  G 


4.26  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

designexl  for  the  invasion  of  Louisiana,  and  was  to 
be  prosecuted  from  Kentucky  down  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi.  The  arrangements  were  all  made  ;  but 
before  the  plan  was  ripe  for  execution,  the  govern- 
ment interposed,  and  some  of  the  principal  agents 
were  arrested.  No  government,  the  President  con- 
ceived, which  had  any  pretentions  to  independence, 
could  submit  to  insults  of  this  nature. 

Having  consulted  with  the  Vice  President,  the 
Heads  of  Departments,  and  other  leading  characters 
in  the  government,  he  determined  to  suspend  the 
ministerial  functions,  and  to  confine  the  person  of 
Genet.  Messages  to  the  two  houses  of  the  Legis- 
lature on  this  subject  were  prepared,  and  orders 
were  given  to  the  Marshal  to  take  the  French  Min- 
ister into  custody.  -  But  the  evening  preceding  the 
day,  on  which  these  orders  were  to  have  been  car- 
ried into  execution,  official  letters  from  Mr.  Morris 
informed  the  President,  that  Mr.  Genet  was  recalled, 
which  prevented  the  necessity  of  carrying  the  meas- 
ure to  extremity.  One  instance  among  many,  of 
the  independence,  the  firmness  and  the  good  fortune 
of  President  Washington. 

Mr.  Fauchet,  the  successor  of  Mr.  Genet, 
brought  assurances  that  his  government  disapproved 
of  the  conduct  of  his  predecessor,  and  made  warm 
declarations  of  his  own  disposition  to  consult  the 
peace  and  honour  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  and  his  practices  for  a  time  corresponded 
with  his  language. 

About  this  period,  the  Executive  of  the  French 
P'overtunent  made  known  to  the  President  their 


1793-7.]  LIFE  or  Washington.  427 

wishes  that  Mr.  Morris  might  be  recalled.  He  im- 
mediately complied  with  their  request,  and  nomi- 
nated Colonel  Monroe  of  Virginia  as  his  successor, 
an  appointment  peculiarly  pleasing  to  the  friends  of 
France. 

The  task  of  the  Executive  was  rendered  still 
more  delicate,  arduous  and  difficult  by  the  conduct 
of  Great  Britain. 

The  Court  of  London  had  declined  a  treaty  -with 
Congress  under  the  old  Confederation.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  Federal  Government^the  Ad- 
ministration was  disposed  to  negotiate  with  Great 
Britain  without  committing  the  honour  of  the  nation. 
Mr.  Gouverneur  Morris,  who  was  in  England  on 
private  business,  was  directed  to  open  an  informal 
conference  with  members  of  the  British  Cabinet  on 
the  subject  of  American  affairs.  With  much  ad- 
dress he  executed  this  commission  but  to  little  pur- 
pose. He  informed  the  President,  that  the  Duke 
of  Leeds  and  Mr.  Pitt  manifested  a  disposition  to 
live  on  terms  of  amity  and  friendship  with  the  United 
States  ;  but  discovered  no  inclination  to  enter  into  a 
commercial  treaty  with  them ;  that  they  complained 
of  the  neglect  of  the  American  government  to  exe- 
cute the  stipulations  of  the  treaty  of  peace,  for  which 
neglect  they  justified  their  retention  of  the  Western 
Posts. 

In  this  situation  the  French  revolution  found 
Great  Britain  and  the  United  States.  At  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war  between  France  and  England, 
various  circumstances  indicated  the  probability  that 
America  would  be  brought  into  the  contention  with 
Britain. 


428  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

The  warm  and  animated  expressions  of  fraterni- 
ty made  by  the  American  people  towards  France  ; 
the  festivals  in  celebration  of  French  victories,  and 
the  manifest  partiality  which  many  discovered  for 
her  in  the  management  of  the  war,  probably  led  the 
British  Cabinet  to  think,  that  the  United  States 
were  disposed  to  become  parties  in  the  war,  and 
induced  them  to  adopt  measures  to  meet  this  hostile 
spirit.  On  the  other  hand,  the  unfriendly  indica- 
tions of  the  English  Court,  and  the  impressments 
of  American  seamen  in  the  British  ports,  in  addition 
to  the  common  vexation  of  neutrals  on  the  high  seas, 
and  the  attempt  to  starve  France  by  carrying  Amer- 
ican provision  vessels  into  English  ports,  v/as  so 
much  fuel  to  feed  the  passions  of  the  Americans  al- 
ready in  a  blaze. 

In  this  state  of  national  affairs,  the  President  met 
Congress  on  the  4th  of  December  1793.  In  the 
speech  delivered  on  this  interesting  occasion,  he  thus 
noticed  his  reelection  to  the  Presidency. 

*'  Since  the  commencement  of  the  term  for  which 
I  have  been  again  called  into  office,  no  fit  occasion 
has  arisen  for  expressing  to  my  fellow  citizens  at 
large  the  deep  and  respectful  sense  which  1  feel  of 
the  renewed  testimony  of  publick  approbation. 
While  on  the  one  hand,  it  awakened  my  gratitude, 
for  all  those  instances  of  affectionate  partiality  with 
which  I  have  been  honoured  by  my  country ;  on 
the  other,  it  could  not  prevent  an  earnest  wish  for 
that  retirement,  from  w  hich  no  private  consideration 
should  ever  have  torn  me.  But  influenced  by  the 
belief  that  my  conduct  would  be  estimated  accord- 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  429 

ing  to  its  real  motives,  and  that  the  people,  and  the 
authorities  derived  from  them,  would  support  exer- 
tions, having  nothing  personal  for  their  object,  I  have 
obeyed  the  suffrage  which  commanded  me  to  resume 
the  executive  power  ;  and  I  humbly  implore  that 
Being  on  whose  will  the  fate  of  nations  depends,  to 
crown  with  success  our  mutual  endeavours  for  the 
general  happiness."  He  then  made  the  following 
communications  respecting  the  measures  of  the  Ad- 
ministration. 

"  As  soon  as  the  war  in  Europe  had  embraced 
those  powers  with  whom  the  United  States  have 
the  most  extensive  relations,  there  vi^as  reason  to 
apprehend  that  our  intercourse  with  them  might  be 
interrupted,  and  our  disposition  for  peace  drawn  in 
question  by  suspicions  too  often  entertained  by  bel- 
ligerent nations s  It  seemed  therefore  to  be  my  duty 
to  admonish  our  citizens  of  the  consequence  of  a 
contraband  trade,  and  of  hostile  acts  to  any  of  the 
parties ;  and  to  obtain  by  a  declaration  of  the  exist- 
ing state  of  things  an  easier  admission  of  our  rights 
to  the  immunities  belonging  to  our  situation.  Un- 
der these  impressions  the  Proclamation  was  issued. 

"  In  this  posture  of  affairs,  both  new  and  deli- 
cate, I  resolved  to  adopt  general  rules,  which  should 
conform  to  the  treaties,  and  assert  the  privileges  of 
the  United  States,  These  were  reduced  into  a  sys- 
tem, which  shall  be  communicated  to  you." 

After  noticing  those  legislative  provisions  which 
his  experience  dictated  as  necessary,  he  proceeded  : 

**  I  cannot  recommend  to  your  notice,  measures 
for  the  fulfilment  of  our  duties  to  the  rest  of  the 


450  LIFS   or     WASHINGTON*  [1793-7. 

worldj  without  again  pressing  upon  you  the  necessity 
of  placing  yourselves  in  a  situation  of  complete  de- 
fence, and  of  exacting  from  t/iejn,  the  fulfilment  of 
their  duties  towards  us.  The  United  States  ought 
not  to  indulge  a  pursuasion  that,  contrary  to  the  or- 
der of  human  events,  they  will  forever  keep  at  a  dis- 
tance, those  painful  appeals  to  arms,  with  which  the 
history  of  every  other  nation  abounds.  There  is  a 
rank  due  to  the  United  States  among  nations,  which 
will  be  withheld,  if  not  absolutely  lost,  by  the  reputa- 
tion of  weakness.  If  we  desire  to  avoid  insult,  we 
must  be  able  to  repel  it,  if  we  desire  to  secure  peace, 
one  of  the  most  powerful  instruments  of  our  prosper- 
ity, it  must  be  known  that  wc  are,  at  all  times  ready 
for  war." 

After  advising  the  greatest  appropriations  for  the 
redemption  of  the  publick  debt,  which  the  resources 
of  the  country  would  permit,  he  in  the  following 
manner  concluded  the  address. 

"  The  several  subjects  to  which  I  have  now  refer- 
red open  a  wide  range  to  your  deliberations,  and  in- 
volve some  of  the  choicest  interests  of  our  common 
country.  Permit  me  to  bring  to  your  remembrance 
the  magnitude  of  your  task.  Without  an  unpreju- 
diced coolness,  the  welfare  of  the  government 
may  be  hazarded  ;  without  harmony,  as  far  as  con- 
sists with  freedom  of  sentiment,  its  dignity  may- 
be lost.  But  as  the  legislative  proceedings  of  the 
United  States  will  never,  I  trust,  be  reproached  for 
the  want  of  temper,  or  of  candour,  so  shall  not  the 
publick  happiness  languish  from  the  want  of  my 
strenuous  and  w  armest  cooperations." 


1793-7.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  451 

The  party  in  the  United  States,  opposed  to  tlie 
general  system  on  which  the  Federal  Government 
had  been  administered,  by  associating  the  cause  of 
France  with  their  own,  had  increased  their  mem- 
bers in  the  present  Congress ;  but  they  were  not 
prepared  to  attack  the  discernment  or  the  patriotism 
of  the  President.  The  House  of  Representatives, 
in  their  answer,  thus  noticed  the  unanimous  suf- 
frage, by  which  Gen.  Washington  had,  a  second 
time,  been  elected  to  the  Presidency. 

"  It  was  with  equal  sincerity  and  promptitude 
they  embraced  the  occasion  for  expressing  to  him 
their  congratulations  on  so  distinguished  a  testimo- 
ny of  publick  approbation,  and  their  entire  confi- 
dence in  the  purity  and  patriotism  of  the  motives 
which  had  produced  this  obedience  to  the  voice 
of  his  country.  It  is  to  virtues  that  have  command- 
ed long  and  universal  reverence,  and  services  from 
which  have  fiowed  great  and  lasting  benefits,  that 
the  tribute  of  praise  may  be  paid  without  the  re- 
proach of  flattery  ;  and  it  is  from  the  same  sources 
that  the  fairest  anticipations  may  be  derived  in  fa- 
vour of  publick  happiness."  The  Proclamation  of 
neutrality  was  in  a  cautious  manner  approved,  and 
a  disposition  was  expressed  to  support  the  Execu- 
tive. 

The  answer  of  the  Senate  breathed  unreserved  af- 
fection, and  confidence.  Referring  to  the  second  elec- 
tion of  thePresident,  they  observed,  "  In  the  unanim- 
ity which  a  second  time  marks  this  important  national 
act,  we  trace  with  particular  satisfaction,  besides  the 
distinguished  tribute  paid  to  the  virtues  and  abiii- 


452  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

tics,  which  it  recognizes,  another  proof  of  that  just 
discernment,  and  constancy  of  sentiments  and  views, 
which  have  hitherto  characterized  the  citizens  of 
the  United  States."  They  declared  the  Proclama- 
tion to  be  "  a  measure  well  timed  and  wise,  mani- 
festing a  watchful  solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  the 
nation,  and  calculated  to  promote  it." 

At  the  close  of  this  year,  Mr.  Jefferson  resign- 
ed his  Secretaryship,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  E. 
Randolph  ;  and  Mr.  William  Bradford  was  appointed 
Attorney  General, 

After  a  very  animated  debate,  January,  1794,  a 
bill  passed  Congress  by  a  very  small  majority,  to 
build  six  frigates,  and  it  received  the  cordial  assent 
of  the  Executive.  This  was  the  commencement  of 
the  American  navy. 

In  November  1793  the  British  government  had 
given  instructions  to  her  ships  to  detain  all  vessels 
laden  with  goods,  the  produce  of  any  colony  be- 
longing to  France,  or  carrying  provisions,  or  other 
supplies  to  those  colonies,  and  bring  them  into 
English  ports  for  adjudication. 

These  instructions  were  thought,  by  reflecting 
men  in  America,  to  be  evidence  of  an  hostile  spirit 
in  the  British  Cabinet  towards  the  United  States, 
and  Congress  deemed  it  expedient  to  be  prepared 
to  meet  the  probable  event  of  war.  They  accord- 
ingly laid  an  embargo  for  the  term  of  thirty  days, 
and  with  great  unanimity  adopted  provisional  meas- 
ures of  self  defence. 

While  these  measures  were  in  train, the  President 
on  the  4th  of  April,  1794,  transmitted  to  Congress  a 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  433 

letter  from  Mr.  Pinc.kney,  who  had  been  appointed 
Minister  at  the  Court  of  London,  which  contained 
information,  that  the  orders  of  November  were  re- 
voked, and  instructions  given  to  cruizers  to  bring  in 
for  adjudications  only  those  neutral  vessels  which 
were  laden  with  the  produce  of  French  Islands  on  a 
direct  voyage  from  those  islands  to  Europe  ;  and 
detailing  a  conversation  between  Lord  Grenville 
and  Pinckney  in  which  his  Lordship  more  satisfac- 
torily explained  the  instructions  of  November  ;  and 
manifested  a  disposition  to  cultivate  peace  and  ami- 
ty with  the  United  States. 

This  communication  made  a  deep  impression 
on  the  Federal  members  of  Congress.  They  thought 
that  a  door  was  opened  for  negotiation,  and  that  war 
might  probably  be  avoided. 

The  opposition  members  and  the  partizans  of 
France,  alarmed  by  these  symptoms  of  moderation, 
redoubled  their  attack  upon  England,  and  upon  all, 
who  were  disposed  to  cultivate  friendship  with  her. 
Newspapers  were  filled  with  invectives  of  this  na- 
ture, and  every  epithet  of  vileness  and  calumny  was 
made  use  of  to  inflame  the  publick  mind,  and  in- 
crease the  hostility  of  the  nation  against  Great  Brit- 
ain. The  majority  of  Congress  discovered  a  dis- 
position to  proceed  in  their  military  preparations, 
in  which  the  sentiment  of  the  community  seemed  to 
support  them,  and  general  appearances  still  indicat- 
ed approaching  hostilities. 

The  President  foresaw  the  evils,  that  must  be 
introduced  by  a  war  with  Great  Britain,  in  the  dis- 
tempered state  of  the  publick  mind.     He  knew  that 

H   H    H 


434  LlFB    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7^* 

she  commanded  the  Ocean,  that  she  presented  the 
best  markets  for  the  exports  of  the  United  States, 
and  furnished,  on  the  easiest  terms,  those  manufac- 
tures which  were  necessary  to  his  countrymen.  He 
perceived  that  the  devotion  of  the  people  to  France, 
would  throw  the  United  States  into  her  arms,  and 
that  his  country  must  become  a  mere  sateUite  of 
her  will.  He  was  not  without  some  apprehension, 
that  the  bloody  and  ferocious  spirit,  that  had  disgrac- 
ed the  French  revolution,  might  be  introduced  into 
the  peaceable  society  of  America. 

Under  these  solemn  impressions,  he  determined 
to  use  Ills  endeavours  to  arrest  the  dreaded  evil, 
and  on  the  16th  of  April  he  nominated  in  the  Sen- 
ate an  Envoy  Extraordinary  to  the  Court  of  Great 
Britain,  and  for  the  following  reasons. 

"  The  communications  which  I  have  made  to 
you  during  your  present  session,  from  the  despatch- 
es of  our  Minister  in  London,  contain  a  serious  as- 
pect of  our  affairs  with  Great  Britain.  But  as  peace 
ought  to  be  pursued  with  unremitted  zeal,  before 
the  last  resource,  which  has  so  often  been  the 
scourge  of  nations,  and  cannot  fail  to  check  the 
advanced  prosperity  of  the  United  States,  is  con- 
templated, I  have  thought  proper  to  nominate  John 
Jay,  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  of  the  United  States 
to  his  Britannick  Majesty. 

"  My  confidence  in  our  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
in  London  continues  undiminished.  But  a  mission 
like  this,  while  it  corresponds  with  the  solemnity  of 
the  occasion,  will  announce  to  the  world  a  solicitude 
for  the  friendly  adjustment  of  our  complaints,  and 


£1793-7.-  JLIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  435 

a  reluctance  to  hostility.  Going  immediately  from 
the  United  States,  such  an  Envoy  will  carry  with 
him  a  full  knowledge  of  the  existing  temper  and 
sensibility  of  our  country  ;  and  will  thus  be  taught 
to  vindicate  our  rights  with  firmness,  and  to  culti- 
yate  peace  with  sincerity." 

To  a  considerable  part  of  Congress,  and  to  a 
large  portion  of  the  American  people,  this  decisive 
act  was  unexpected  and  displeasing.;  and  it  was  a- 
dopted  in  full  view  of  the  obloquy  and  abuse  of 
which  it  would  be  the  occasion, 

A  motion  made  to  stay  the  proceedings  against 
Great  Britain,  on  account  of  the  pending  negotiation 
was  overruled  in  the  House  of  Representatives  ;  and 
a  bill  prohibiting  commercial  intercourse  with  her 
carried  by  a  considerable  majority  ;  which  was  lost 
in  the  Senate  by  the  casting  vote  of  the  Vice  Pres- 
ident. 

The  authority  of  the  Executive  to  issue  the 
proclamation  of  neutrality  had  by  many  been  doubt- 
ed ;  his  power  to  call  out  the  militia  to  prevent  the 
sailing  of  privateers,  which  had  violated  his  rules, 
denied  ;  and  the  American  citizens,  who  had  been 
prosecuted  for  engaging  in  expeditions  against  the 
nations  at  war,  had  been  acquitted  by  a  jury  of  trials. 
The  President  therefore,  although  entertaining  him- 
self no  doubt  about  his  constitutional  authorit}^,  was 
desirous  to  obtain  the  sanction  of  Congress  for  the 
system  he  had  adopted,  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the 
country. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  session,  he  inti- 
mated to  the  National  Legislature  the  propriety  of 


436  LIFE    OF    WASHlNGTOy.  [1793-7. 

the  measure,  and  in  pursuance  of  his  advice,  the 
Senate  introduced  a  bill,  prohibiting  within  the  U- 
nited  States  the  exercise,  by  Foreig-n  Ministers,  of 
those  acts  of  sovereignty  which  Genet  claimed,  and 
subjecting  to  fine  and  imprisonment  those  who 
should  be  guilty  of  any  of  the  acts  towards  the  bel- 
ligerent nations,  which  the  Executive  had  forbidden. 
This  bill,  necessary  as  it  was  to  the  honour  and 
peace  of  the  nation,  was  opposed  by  the  whole 
force  of  the  Antifederalists,  and  finally  passed  the 
Senate  by  the  casting  vote  of  the  Vice  President. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  1794,  the  session  of  Congress, 
which  had  been  active  and  stormy,  closed. 

In  the  course  of  this  year,  the  President  was 
called  to  an  important,  but  painful  duty  in  adminis- 
tering the  domestick  concerns  of  the  government. 

Under  the  last  Presidency  an  act  had  passed, 
laying  a  duty  on  spirits  distilled  within  the  United 
States. 

To  the  inhabitants  in  the  Western  Counties  of 
Pennsylvania  this  was  highly  offensive.  The 
whole  district  had  been  from  the  beginning,  hostile 
to  the  Federal  Constitution.  I'hey  had  whh 
acrimony  opposed  its  adojjtion,  and  were  in 
opposition  to  all  the  measures  of  the  Admin- 
istration. Emboldened  by  the  hoars©  and  loud 
clamours  of  their  party,  they  absolutely  refused  com- 
pliance with  the  law.  The  President  with  anxiety 
saw  this  combination,  but  waited  in  the  expecta- 
tion that  the  quiet  submission  to  the  act  in  other 
parts  of  the  Union,  would  induce  the  people  of  this 
district  to  yield  obedience.    In  the  mean  time  he  re- 


1793-7.]  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  457 

commended  to  Congress  to  modify  the  act  in  such;  a 
manner,  as  to  remove  every  reasonable  objection.  Ac- 
cordingly in  May,  1792,  the  National  Legislature  took 
up  the  subject,  and  made  such  alterations  in  the  act, 
as  experience  directed  would  be  salutary.  This  revi- 
sion did  not  conciliate  the  insurgents.  The  officers, 
who  attempted  to  collect  the  duty,  were  violent- 
ly opposed.  In  County  and  District  Conventions, 
a  systematick  opposition  was  planned  ;  and  banish- 
ment from  the  circle  of  good  neighbourhood,  and 
from  all  the  benefits  and  pleasures  of  social  inter- 
course, was  denounced  against  all  who  should  aid 
the  publick  officers;  and  the  officers  themselves 
were  threatened  with  every  personal  outrage,  should 
they  persist  in  the  endeavour  to  execute  the  duties 
of  their  office. 

Knowing  the  importance  of  breaking  this  daring 
combination,  the  President  issued  a  Proclamation, 
admonishing  all  persons  to  desist  from  proceedings 
designed  to  obstruct  the  execution  of  the  laws,  re- 
quiring the  interposition  of  magistrates  in  support  of 
government,  and  directing  the  prosecution  of  ofien- 
ders. 

The  Proclamation  not  producing  the  desired  ef- 
fect, he  endeavoured  to  prevent  the  necessity  of  hav- 
ing recourse  to  a  military  force,  by  making  it  the  in- 
terest of  the  distillers  to  pay  the  duty. 

Prosecutions  were  instituted  against  delinquents, 
where  they  could  be  sustained,  the  spirits  dihtillcd 
in  the  counties  opposing  the  law  were  ordered  lo 
be  seized  on  their  way  to  market,  by  the  officers 
©f  the  revenue,  and  the  contracters  for  the  arn^y 


433  LIfE     OF     WASHINGTON.  [l793-f. 

were  directed  to  purchase  only  the  spirits,  on  uhich 
the  duties  had  been  paid.  But  whatever  were  the 
wishes  of  the  distillers,  the  fear  of  an  infuriated  pop- 
ulace prevented  a  compliance  with  these  orders ; 
and  the  insurgents  took  encouragement  from  the 
lenity  of  the  Executive,  in  the  expectation  of  ulti- 
mate success.  By  violent  threats  they  deterred  the 
Marshal  from  the  service  of  his  precepts,  committed 
numerous  outrages  upon  the  friends  of  government, 
and  organized  themselves  into  military  bands  to  re- 
sist any  force  th?it  might  be  sent  to  subject  them  to 
the  laws. 

The  President  had  for  three  years  patiently  wait- 
ed the  effect  of  conciliatory  measures,  but  these  had 
onl}'  rendered  the  opposition  more  desperate.  He 
therefore  had  only  to  choose  between  the  alternative 
of  permitting  the  prostration  of  the  government,  or 
to  call  out  its  force  in  support  of  the  laws. 

The  subject  in  all  its  momentous  consequences 
was  laid  before  the  Cabinet,  and  General  Mifflin,  the 
Governour  of  Pennsylvania,  was  on  this  occasion  cal- 
led into  the  Council.  Their  unanimous  desire  was 
to  avoid,  if  possible,  the  coertion  of  the  military, 
and  they  therefore  advised,  that  Commissioners 
should  be  sent  to  the  insurgents  to  warn  them  of 
their  danger,  and  to  offer  a  pardon  of  past  offences, 
on  condition  of  future  obedience  to  the  laws.  It 
was  also  advised  that  a  proclamation  should  be  issu- 
ed in  conformity  to  the  act  of  Congress,  commanding 
the  insurgents  to  disperse  by  a  given  day.  But  in 
respect  to  ultimate  operations,  there  was  not  an  una- 
nimity of  opinion.     The  Governour  of  Pcnnsylva- 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  439 

nia  thought  that  the  militia  of  that  state  would  be 
insufficient  to  suppress  the  insurrection,  and  appear- 
ed apprehensive  of  danger  from  the  attempt  to  call 
out  the  power  of  government.  Mr.  Randolph,  Sec- 
retary of  State,  expressed  his  fears  on  account  of  the 
numbers  and  strength  of  the  insurgents.  He  doubt- 
ed whether  the  militia  would  obey  the  orders  of  the 
Executive,  and  march  to  suppress  by  force  of  arms 
this  combination  ;  if  they  should,  he  doubted  the 
success  of  the  expedition,  and  foreboded  civil  war 
in  all  its  horrors  as  the  consequence  of  a  failure. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  the  Secretary  of 
War,  and  the  Attorney  General,  were  of  opinion, 
that  the  President  was  bound  by  the  most  sacred  ob- 
ligations, to  use  the  means  placed  at  his  disposal, 
faithfully  to  execute  the  law.  They  therefore  ad- 
vised him  to  try  the  power  of  the  government  to  co- 
erce submission  ;  and  from  policy  and  humanity  to 
march  a  force  into  the  insurgent  counties,  too  strong 
to  be  resisted. 

The  President  did  not  hesitate  to  do  his  duty. 
Without  exerting  the  means  of  prevention  in  his 
power,  he  could  not  see  the  laws  prostrated,  and  the 
authority  of  the  United  States  defied. 

On  the  7th  of  August,  Tie  issued  the  Proclama- 
tion which  the  law  made  a  prerequisite  to  the  em- 
ployment of  force.  In  it  he  gave  a  recapitulation  of 
the  measures  of  Government,  and  of  the  opposition 
of  the  insurgents,  and  thus  proceeded,  "  Whereas 
it  was  in  his  judgment  necessary,  under  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  case,  to  take  measures  for  calling 
forth  the  militia  in  order  to  suppress  the  combina- 


440  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  [179S-7. 

tions  aforesaid,  and  to  cause  the  laws  to  be  duly  ex- 
ecuted, and  he  had  accordingly  determined  so  to  do  ; 
feeling  the  deepest  regret  for  the  occasion,  but  withal 
the  most  solemn  conviction  that  the  essential  inter- 
ests of  the  Union  demanded  it  ;  that  the  very  ex- 
istence of  government,  and  the  fundamental  princi- 
ples of  social  order  were  involved  in  the  issue  ;  and 
that  the  patriotism  and  firmness  of  all  good  citizens 
vi^ere  seriously  called  upon  to  aid  in  the  suppression 
of  so  fatal  a  spirit."  The  Proclamation  closed  by 
ordering  all  insurgents,  and  all  other  persons  whom 
it  might  concern,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  the 
ensuing  September,  to  disperse  and  retire  to  their 
respective  iiomes.  Orders  were  on  the  same 
day  issued  to  the  Governours  of  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  Virginia,  for  their  res- 
pective quotas  of  twelve  thousand  men,  which  at  a 
subsequent  period  was  increased  to  fifteen  thousand, 
who  were  to  be  held  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  min- 
ute's warning. 

Reluctant  to  draw  the  sword  upon  his  fellow  cit- 
izens, the  President  at  this  awful  crisis  determined 
to  make  one  more  attempt  to  reclaim  by  mild  en- 
treaty his  deluded  countrymen.  The  Attorney 
General,  Judge  Yates,  and  Mr.  Ross,  were  com- 
missioned to  bear  to  the  insurgents  a  general  amnes- 
ty for  all  past  crimes,  on  condition  of  future  obedi- 
ence ;  but  the  clemency  of  the  government  was 
again  spurned,  and  its  power  disregarded. 

The  insurgents,  forming  an  opinion  from  the 
language  of  democratick  societies,  and  from  the 
publications  in  antifederal  newspapers,  seem  to  have 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OJf     WASHINGTON.  441 

entertained  the  supposition  that  their  disaffection 
was  generally  felt  by  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  and  that  the  attempt  to  suppress  them  would 
issue  in  a  revolution  of  the  government. 

That  the  Executive  of  Pennsylvania  might  act 
in  unison  with  the  National  Administration,  Govem- 
our  Mifflin  had  also  issued  a  Proclamation,  and  ap- 
pointed commissioners  to  join  those  of  the  nation. 

The  faction  opposed  to  government  insidiously 
attempted  to  obstruct  the  execution  of  the  orders  of 
the  President,  but  without  effect  ;  the  community 
expressed  unequivocally  the  determination  to  sup- 
port the  government,  and  to  execute  the  laws.  The 
personal  influence  of  Governour  Mifflin  surmounted 
the  obstructions  which  arose  from  the  insufficiency 
of  the  militia  laws  of  Pennsylvania  ;  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  respective  States,  obeyed  the  sum- 
mons with  an  alacrity  that  exceeded  the  expecta- 
tion of  the  most  sanguine ;  and  the  required  num- 
ber of  troops  was  seasonably  in  readiness  to  obey 
the  orders  of  the  Commander  in  Chief. 

The  command  of  the  expedition  was  given  to 
Governour  Lee  of  Virginia,  and  the  Governours  of 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  commanded  the  mili- 
tia of  their  respective  states  under  him.  This  force 
moved  into  the  insurgent  counties  and  bore  down 
all  opposition.  Thus  by  the  vigour  and  prudence  of 
the  Executive,  this  formidable  and  alarming  insur- 
rection was,  without  the  sacrifice  of  a  life,   subdued. 

The   President  attributed  this  insurrection  in  a 
great  degree  to  the  influence  of  the  democratick  so- 
cieties.    This  opinion  he  expressed  in  his  private 
III 


442  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

letters,  and  in  his  publick  communications  to  the 
Legislature.     In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Jay,  he  observed, 

"  That  the  self  created  societies,  who  have  spread 
themselves  over  this  country,  have  been  labouring 
incessantly  to  sow  the  seeds  of  distrust,  jealousy,  and 
of  course  discontent,  hoping  thereby  to  effect  some 
revolution  in  the  government,  is  not  unknown  to  you. 
That  they  have  been  the  fomenters  of  the  western 
disturbances,  admits  of  no  doubt  in  the  mind  of  any 
one  who  will  examine  their  conduct.  But,  fortu- 
nately they  have  precipitated  a  crisis  for  which  they 
were  not  prepared  ;  and  thereby  have  unfolded 
views  which  will,  I  trust,  effect  their  annihilation 
sooner,  than  it  might  have  happened." 

General  Washington  had  the  firmness  and  in- 
dependence to  denounce  these  societies  to  the  Na- 
tional Legislature,  and  to  loan  his  personal  influence 
to  counteract  their  designs,  thereby  bringing  upon 
himself  their  resentment. 

In  his  official  address  to  Congress,  on  the  19th 
of  November,  he,  as  a  channel  of  publick  informa- 
tion, narrated  the  rise,  progress  and  issue  of  the  in- 
surrection, passed  a  merited  encomium  on  the  pat- 
riotism of  those  who  had  with  alacrity  exerted  them- 
selves to  suppress  it,  and  proceeded  to  observe  : 

"  To  every  description  of  citizens,  let  praise  be 
given.  But  let  them  persevere  in  their  affectionate 
vigilance  over  that  precious  depositor}^  of  American 
happiness,  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 
And  when  in  the  calm  moments  of  reflection,  they 
shall  have  retraced  the  origin  and  progress  of  the 
insurrection,  let  them  determine  whether  it  has  not 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  443 

been  fomented  by  combinations  of  men,  who,  care- 
les  of  consequences  and  disregarding  the  unerring 
truth,  that  those  who  rouse,  cannot  always  appease  a 
civil  convulsion,  have  disseminated,  from  an  ignor- 
ance or  perversion  of  facts,  suspicions,  jealousies, 
and  accusations  of  the  whole  government."  He  on 
this  occasion,  renewedly  recommended  to  the  Leg- 
islature the  organization  of  the  militia,  and  made 
such  other  communications  as  the  state  of  the  coun- 
try rendered  expedient. 

In  their  answer  to  this  address,  the  Senate  said, 
**  Our  anxiety  arising  from  the  licentious  and  open 
resistance  to  the  laws  in  the  Western  Counties  of 
Pennsylvania,  has  been  increased  by  the  proceed- 
ings of  certain  self  created  societies  relative  to  the 
laws  and  Administrations  of  the  government  ;  pro- 
ceedings, in  our  apprehensions,  founded  in  politi- 
cal errour,  calculated,  if  not  intended,to  disorganize 
our  government,  and  which,  by  inspiring  delusive 
hopes  of  support,  have  been  instrumental  in  mis- 
leading our  fellow  citizens  in  the  scene  of  insurrec- 
tion." 

They  expressed  an  unqualified  approbation  of 
the  measures  adopted  by  the  Executive  to  suppress 
the  insurrection, and  concluded  in  the  following  man? 
ner.  "  At  a  period  so  momentous  in  the  affairs 
of  nations,  the  temperate,  just  and  firm  policy  that 
you  have  pursued  in  respect  to  foreign  powers,  has 
been  eminently  calculated  to  promote  the  great  and 
essential  interest  of  our  country,  and  has  created  the 
fairest  title  to  the  publick  gratitude  and  thanks," 


444  LIFE    OP     WASHINGTON.  [1795-7. 

The  House  of  Representatives  was  not  thus  cor- 
dial and  approbatory,  in  their  answer  to  the  Speech 
of  the  President. 

After  much  debate,  they  omitted  to  notice  the 
conduct  of  the  Executive  with  foreign  powers,  and 
they  made  no  reply  to  his  observations  on  self  cre- 
ated societies.  In  other  points,  the  answer  was  re- 
spectful. 

On  the  last  of  January  1795, Mr.  Hamilton  resign- 
ed his  place  as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Mr.  Oliver  Wolcott.  And  soon  after 
General  Knox  resigned  the  Secretaryship  of  War, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Colonel  T.  Pickering. 

While  these  events  were  taking  place  in  Ameri- 
ca ;  Judge  Jay  was  executing  a  commission  in  Eng- 
land highly  important  to  his  country. 

From  the  moment  that  he  was  admitted  to  a 
conference  with  the  British  Cabinet,  he  with  the  ar. 
dour  of  a  patriot,  and  the  ability  of  a  statesman,  de- 
voted himself  to  the  business  of  his  mission.  While 
decorous  in  his  behaviour  towards  the  British  crown, 
he  maintained  the  respectability  of  his  own  charac- 
ter, and  supported  the  honour  of  the  United  States. 
Persuaded  that  war  would  be  the  consequence  of  a 
failure  of  his  negotiation,  he  patiently  attended  to 
the  investigation  of  the  subject  in  controversy,  and 
finally  agreed  with  Lord  Greenville  upon  a  treaty  be- 
tween the  two  countries.  In  a  letter  to  the  Presi- 
dent, he  declared  this  to  be  the  best  it  was  possible 
to  obtain,  and  added,  "  I  ought  not  to  conceal  from 
you,  that  the  confidence  reposed  in  your  personal 
character  was  visible  and  useful  throughout  the  ne- 
gotiation." 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  445 

On  the  8th  of  June,  the  President  submitted  the 
treaty,  with  the  documents  which  attended  it,  to  the 
dehberation  of  the  Senate,  that  they  might  "  in  their 
wisdom  decide  whether  they  would  advise  and  con- 
sent that  it  should  be  ratified." 

After  deUberate  investigation,  the  Senate,  by  ex- 
actly two  thirds  of  their  numbers,  the  constitutional 
majority,  advised  to  its  ratification,  with  some  quali- 
fication of  the  12th  Article. 

Great  exertion  had  been  made,  by  the  party  that 
opposed  the  mission  of  Mr.  Jay,  to  keep  alive  the 
spirit  of  hostility  to  Great  Britain.  The  secrecy  ob- 
served in  the  negotiation  was  pointedly  reprobated 
as  a  violation  of  the  first  principles  of  a  Republican 
Governmerit,  and  every  circumstance  that  transpir- 
ed respecting  it,  was  used  as  a  means  to  excite  o- 
dium  against  the  negotiation,  and  prejudice  against 
the  treaty.  While  the  train  was  laying  to  enkindle 
a  publick  flame,  word  was  received  through  a  credi- 
ble channel  that  the  British  Court  had  renewed  the 
orders  to  their  cruisers  to  detain  provision  vessels 
bound  to  French  ports.  Although  the  President 
had  previously  determined  to  ratify  the  treaty,  yet  on 
this  information,  he  ordered  a  strong  remonstrance 
to  be  drawn  against  those  orders,  and  suggested  to 
his  Cabinet  the  propriety  of  suspending  the  exchange 
of  the  ratified  treaty,  upon  their  revocation. 

In  this  stage  of  the  business,  he  was  called  to 
Mount  Vernon. 

During  his  absence,  and  while  the  publick  mind 
was  in  a  state  of  irritation,  a  Senator  in  Congress 
from  Virginia,  violating  the  decorum  and  the  rules 


446  klFR    OF     WASHINGTONT.  [1793-7, 

of  the  Senate,  sent  an  incorrect  copy  of  the  treaty  to 
the  Editor  of  a  democratick  paper,  and  through  the 
press  it  was  immediately  communicated  to  (he  pub- 
lick.  If  the  attempts  to  negotiate  were  represent- 
ed as  inconsistent  with  the  honour  of  the  United 
States,  and  all  the  circumstances  attending  it  crim- 
inated, as  a  dereliction  of  the  interests  of  a  sister  Re- 
publick  ;  it  cannot  be  supposed,  that  the  instrument 
itself,  which  was  the  result  of  mutual  concessions, 
and  the  adjustment  of  opposing  national  interests, 
should  quiet  the  publick  mind,  subjected  to  the  des- 
potism of  passion  and  prejudice. 

Noisy  and  violent  declamation  against  the  treaty 
abounded  in  every  part  of  the  United  States,  and  few 
were  found,  who  unbiassed  by  national  interest, 
coolly  and  impartially  decided  upon  its  merits. 

Publick  nieetings  were  holden  in  all  the  large 
towns,  and  intemperate  addresses  denouncing  the 
treaty  voted,  which  were  published  in  the  Newspa- 
pers before  they  were  presented  to  the  President. 

Pamphlets  were  also  put  into  circulation,  written 
with  ingenuity  and  calculated  to  increase  the  preju- 
dices against  this  national  transaction,  on  the  pre- 
tence that  it  Avas  a  sacrifice  of  the  interests  of  France 
in  favour  of  Great  Britain. 

These  violent  movements  deeply  affected  the 
President,  but  they  did  not  change  his  determina- 
tion. His  letters,  and  the  general  tenour  of  his  con^ 
duct  at  this  period,  discover  the  firmness  and  inde- 
pendence with  which  he  was  prepared  to  resist  every 
attempt  unsuitably  to  bias  the  Executive.  His 
greatest  apprehensions  on  this  occasion  were,  that 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  44f 

France  would  avail  herself  of  these  popular  commo- 
tions, either  to  force  the  government  of  the  United 
States  into  her  measures,  or  to  embarrass  the  execu- 
tion of  the  treaty,  and  to  render  its  stipulations  in  fa- 
vour of  American  commerce  ineffectual.  In  a  letter 
of  the  29th  of  July  written  to  the  Secretary  of  State, 
after  mentioning  that  the  state  of  the  country  re- 
quired the  utmost  circumspection,  he  added  : 

*'  I  have  never  since  I  have  been  in  the  admin- 
istration of  the  government,  seen  a  crisis  which,  in 
my  opinion,  has  been  so  pregnant  with  interesting 
events,  nor  one  from  which  more  is  to  be  apprehend- 
edjXvhether  viewed  on  the  one  side  or  the  other.  From 
New  York  there  is,  and  I  am  told  will  further  be,  a 
counter  cunxnt ;  but  how  formidable  it  may  appear, 
I  know  not.  If  the  same  does  not  take  place  at  Bos- 
ton and  other  towns,  it  will  afford  but  too  strong  ev- 
idence that  the  opposition  is  in  a  manner  universal, 
and  would  make  the  ratification  a  very  serious  busi- 
ness indeed.  But  as  it  respects  the  French,  even 
counter  resolutions  would,  for  the  reasons  I  have  al- 
ready mentioned,  do  little  more  than  weaken,  in  a 
small  degree,  the  effect  the  other  side  would  have." 
In  a  letter  to  the  Secretary,  of  the  3 1st  of  July,  hav- 
ing mentioned  his  determination  to  return  to  Phila- 
delphia, and  stated  the  firmness  and  v/isdom  neces- 
sary to  meet  the  crisis,  he  proceeded,  "  There  is 
too  much  reason  to  believe,  from  the  pains  that  have 
been  taken  before,  at.  and  since  the  advice  of  the 
Senate  respecting  tlie  treaty,  that  the  prejudices 
against  it  are  more  extensive  than  is  generally  im- 
agined.      How  should  it  be  odierwise,   when  no 


448  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [l79;>-7. 

Stone  has  been  left  unturned  that  could  impress  on 
the  minds  of  the  people  the  most  errant  misrepresen- 
tation of  facts  ;  that  their  rights  have  not  only  been 
neglected,  Ijut  absolutely  sold  ;  that  there  are  no  re- 
ciprocal advantages  in  the  treaty  ;  that  the  benefits 
are  all  on  the  side  of  Great  Britain  ;  and  what  seems 
to  have  had  more  weight  with  them  than  all  the  rest, 
and  has  been  most  pressed  ;  that  the  treaty  is  made 
with  the  design  to  oppress  the  French  Republick, 
in  open  violation  of  our  treaty  with  that  nation,  and 
contrary  too  to  every  principle  of  gratitude  and 
s:ound  policy.  In  time,  when  passion  shall  have 
yielded  to  sober  reason,  the  current  may  possibly 
turn  ;  but,  in  the  mean  while,  this  government  in 
relation  to  F  ranee  and  England  may  be  compared  to 
a  ship  between  Sylla  and  Charybdis.  If  the  treaty 
is  ratified,  the  partisans  of  the  French,  or  rather  of 
war  and  confusion,  will  excite  them  to  hostile  meas- 
ures, or  at  least  to  unfriendly  sentiments ;  if  it  is  not, 
there  is  no  foreseeing  all  the  consequences  that  may 
follow  as  it  respects  Great  Britain. 

'*  It  is  not  to  be  inferred  from  hence,  that  I  am, 
or  shall  be  disposed  to  quit  the  ground  I  have  taken, 
unless  circumstances  more  imperious  than  have  yet 
come  to  my  knowledge,  should  compel  it ;  for  there 
is  but  one  straight  course,  and  that  is  to  seek  truth, 
and  to  pursue  it  steadily.  But  these  things  are 
mentioned  to  shew  that  a  close  investigation  of  the 

subject  is  more  than  ever  necessary Every 

step  should  be  explored  before  it  is  taken,  and  every 
word  weighed  before  it  is  uttered  or  delivered  in 
writing,"  In  a  subsequent  letter,  in  which  he  men- 


IJPS-V.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  449 

tioned  the  increasing  hostility  to  the  treaty,  he  ad- 
ded, *'  All  these  things  do  not  shake  my  determin- 
ation with  respect  to  the  proposed  ratification  nor 
will  they,  unless  something  more  imperious  and  un- 
known to  me  should,  in  the  opinion  of  yourself  and 
the  gentleman  with  you,  make  it  advisable  for  me  to 
pause." 

On  the  11th  of  August,  the  President  arrived  at 
Philadelphia,  and  on  the  next  day  he  brought  before 
the  Cabinet  the  question  respecting  the  immediate 
ratification  of  the  treaty.  The  Secretary  of  State  ad- 
vised to  the  postponement  of  this  measure,  until  the 
orders  of  the  British  should  be  revoked.  The  oth- 
er members  of  the  Cabinet  voted  for  an  immediate 
Ratification  with  a  strong  memorial  against  those  or- 
ders. With  this  advice  the  President  closed.  The 
orders  were  recalled,  and  the  ratifications  of  the  trea- 
ty exchanged. 

The  President  was  probably  led  to  this  immedi- 
ate ratification  of  the  treaty  by  the  popular  violence, 
which  was  raised  against  it  in  every  part  of  the  U- 
nited  States.  He  conceived  that  it  was  necessary, 
either  at  once  to  arrest  its  progress,  or  ultimately  to 
yield  to  its  force.  The  event  proved  the  soundness 
of  his  judgment,  and  the  influence  of  his  character. 
Violent  opposition  ceased.  Reflection  and  experi- 
ence convinced  discerning  men,  that  the4reaty  wa» 
a  u'ise  and  salutary  measure. 

On  the  19th  of  August  1795,  Mr.  Randolph  re- 
signed his  office  as  Secretary  of  State.  He  had  been 
strongly  suspected  of  breach  of  trust,  and  of  having 
committed  the  honour  and  interest  of  his  country  m 


450  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

his  communications  with  the  French  Minister.  To 
enable  him,  as  he  affirmed,  to  vindicate  himself,  he 
requested  the  sight  of  a  confidential  letter,  which  the 
President  had  written  to  him,  and  which  he  had  left 
in  the  office.  His  avowed  purpose  was  to  publish 
this,  with  other  documents,  to  show  that  he  had 
been  disgraced  on  account  of  his  attachment  to 
France  and  liberty,  v  I  have  directed,"  replied  the 
President,  "  that  you  should  have  the  inspection  of 
my  letter  of  the  22d  of  July,  agreeably  to  your  re- 
1  quest ;  and  you  are  at  full  liberty  to  publish  without 
reserve  awy  or  every  private  and  confidential  letter 
1  ever  wrote  you  ;  nay  more,  every  word  I  ever  ut- 
tered to  you  or  in  your  presence,  from  whence  you 
can  derive  any  advantage  in  your  vindication.'* 
Happy  the  ruler,  who  in  the  consciousness  of  the  pu- 
rity of  his  intentions  can,  in  times  of  political  agita- 
tion, thus  address  a  suspected  member  of  his  Coun- 
cil, who  had  been  admitted  to  his  unlimited  confi- 
dence, j 

Cotonel  Pickering  was  removed  to  the  depart- 
ment of  State,  and  Mr.  M'Henry  appointed  Secreta- 
ry  of  War.  By  the  death  of  Mr.  Bradford,  the  of- 
fice of  Attorney  General  become  vacant,  which  was 
soon  filled  by  Mr.  Lee  of  Virginia. 

In  the  Autumn  of  1795  a  treaty  was  negoti- 
ated through  the  agency  of  Colonel  Humphreys  with 
the  Regency  of  Algiers,  by  which  a  number  of  A- 
merican  citizens,  who  had  been  enslaved,  were  lib- 
erated. 

On  opening  the  first  session  of  the  fourth  Con- 
gress, the  President  congratulated  the  two  Houses 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  451 

on  the  prosperity  of  the  nation.  "  I  trust"  said  he, 
*' I  do  not  deceive  myself  while  lindulge  the  per- 
suasion that  I  have  never  met  you  at  any  period, 
when,  more  than  at  the  present,  the  situation  of  our 
publick  aflfairs  has  afforded  just  cause  for  mutual 
congratulation  ;  and  for  inviting  you  to  join  with  me 
in  profound  gratitude  to  the  authour  of  all  good  for 
the  numerous  and  extraordinary  blessings  we  en- 
joy." Then  making  a  brief  statement  of  the  situa- 
tion of  the  United  States  in  their  foreign  relations, 
he  thus  proceeded. 

"  This  interesting  summary  of  our  affairs,  with 
regard  to  the  powers  between  w  horn  and  the  United 
States,  controversies  have  subsisted ;  and  with  re- 
gard also  to  our  Indian  neighbours  with  whom  we 
have  been  in  a  state  of  enmity  or  misunderstanding, 
opens  a  wide  field  for  consoling  and  gratifying  reflec- 
tions. If  by  prudence  and  moderation  on  every  side, 
the  extinguishment  of  all  the  causes  of  external  dis- 
cord which  have  heretofore  menaced  our  tranquillity, 
on  terms  compatible  with  our  national  faith  and  hon- 
our, shall  be  the  happy  result,  how  firm  and  how  pre- 
cious a  foundation  will  have  been  laid  for  accelerat- 
ing, maturing  and  establishiiig  the  prosperity  of  our 
country." 

Recommending  a  number  of  national  objects,  to 
the  attention  of  the  Legislature,  the  speech  was  con- 
cluded in  the  following  manner. 

"  Temperate  discussion  of  the  important  sub- 
jects that  may  arise  in  the  course  of  the  session,  and 
mutual  forbearance  where  there  is  a  difference  in  o- 
pinion,  are  too  obvious  and  necessary  for  the  peace, 


452  LIFE    OP    WASHINGTOjr.  [1793~7, 

happiness  and  welfare  of  our  country,  to  need   any 
recommendation  of  mine." 

The  answer  of  the  Senate  was  in  their  usual  cor- 
dial and  respectful  manner. 

A  majority  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of 
this  Congress  was  of  the  party  opposed  to  the  genei'- 
al  administration  of  the  government.  To  this  party 
the  British  treaty  was  offensive  ;  and  their  feelings 
on  this  subject  had  an  influence  on  their  reply  to  the 
President's  speech. 

The  Committee  reported  an  answer,  which 
contained  this  clause;  "that  the  confidence 
of  his  fellow  citizens  in  the  Chief  Magistrate 
remained  undiminished."  It  was  moved  to  strike 
out  this  clause  because  it  contained  an  untruth.  In 
the  animated  debute  that  ensued,  the  friends  of 
the  President  supported  the  clause,  and  maintained 
with  zeal,  that  the  confidence  of  the  American  citi- 
zens in  him  had  suffered  no  diminution  ;  the  advo- 
cates of  the  motion  with  pertinacity  averred  that  by 
a  recent  transaction  the  confidence  of  the  people  in 
the  President  was  diminished  ;  and  several  of  the 
speakers  declared,  that  their  own  confidence  in  him 
was  lessened. 

To  prevent  a  vote  of  the  House  to  expunge  the 
clause,  it  was  moved  and  carried  to  recommit  the 
answer.  In  the  second  report,  this  clause  was  in 
such  a  manner  modified  as  to  pass  w  ithout  objec- 
tion. 

Mr.  Monroe  reached  Paris  soon  after  the  fall 
of  Robespierre,  his  reception  as  the  American 
Minifeter  was  publick,  and  on  the  occasion,  he  gave 


[1793-7.  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTOK,  45* 

the  Convention  the  most  positive  assurances  of  the 
fervent  attachment  of  the  American  people  to  the 
interest  of  France. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  of  France  had  previ- 
ously written  to  the  American  Congress,  and  the 
Executive  of  the  Federal  Government  being  the 
constituted  organ  of  foreign  intercourse,  the  Sen- 
ate and  House  of  Representatives  had  by  their  re- 
solves, transmitted  this  letter  to  the  President  with 
a  request,  that  he  would  in  a  respectful  answer  ex- 
press their  friendly  disposition  towards  the  French 
Kepublick.  Accordingly  the  Secretary  of  State 
addressed  two  letters  to  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
in  the  name  of  each  branch  of  the  Legislature. 
These  Mr.  Monroe  conveyed,  and  delivered  with 
his  own  credentials  to  the  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion. 

The  communications  of  the  American  Minister 
were  received  with  expressions  of  high  gratification, 
and  the  Convention  decreed,  that  the  flags  of  France 
and  America  should  be  united,  and  suspended  in 
their  hall,  as  an  emblem  of  the  eternal  union  and 
friendship  of  the  two  Republicks. 

Colonel  Monroe,  to  reciprocate  this  act  of  fra- 
ternity, requested  the  Convention  to  accept  from 
him  the  American  flag,  as  evidence  of  his  own 
sensibility,  and  as  a  token  of  the  satisfaction  with 
which  his  country  would  improve  every  opportu- 
nity to  promote  the  union  of  the  two  nations. 

Mr.  Adet,  the  successor  of  Mr.  Fauchet,  arriv- 
ed at  Philadelphia  in  the  summer  of  1795,  and 
J^rought  with  him  the  flag  of  France  as  a  compliment 


4,54)  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  [1793-T. 

from  the  Convention  to  Congress,  and  a  letter  from 
the  Committee  of  Safety  to  this  body.     He  made 
no  mention  to  the  President  of  this  present  until 
December,  intending  to  present  it  directly  to  Con- 
gress, and  to  avail  himself  of  the  opportunity  to  ad- 
dress that  body.  The  President  and  the  Heads  of  De- 
partments, perceiving  his  intention  to  make  a  bridge 
of  the  Executive  to  open  a  direct  communication 
with  the  popular  branch  of  Congress,  and  appre- 
hending evil  from  it,  with  address  defeated  the  in- 
triguing scheme.     They  directed,  that  the  flag  and 
the  letter  should  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Pres- 
ident,  and  by  him  presented  to  Congress.     The 
1st  of  January  1796,  was  appointed  as  the  time  on 
which  the  President  would  receive  them.     Mr.  A- 
det  on  this  occasion  addressed  him  in  the  impassion- 
ed language  of  his  countrymen.     He  represented 
France  as  exerting  herself  in  defence  of  the  liberty 
of  mankind. 

"  Assimilated  to,  or  rather  indentified  with  free 
people  by  the  form  of  her  government,  she  saw  in 
them,"  he  observed,  "  only  friends  and  brothers. 
Long  accustomed  to  regard  the  American  people 
as  her  most  faithful  allies,  she  sought  to  draw  closer 
the  ties  already  formed  in  the  fields  of  America,  un- 
der the  auspices  of  victory, over  the  ruins  of  tyranny." 
To  answer  this  speech  was  a  delicate  task.  An- 
imated expressions  of  attachment  and  friendship  for 
France  were  expected  ;  and  it  was  improper  for  the 
Executive  of  a  neutral  nation  to  shew  partiality  or 
prejudice  towards  belligerent  powers. 

The  following  was  the  reply  of  the  President. 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  ^55 

"  Bom,  sir,  in  a  land  of  liberty  ;    having  early- 
learned  its  value  ;  having  engaged   in  a   perilous 
conflict  to  defend  it ;  having,  in  a  word,  devoted  the 
best  years  of  my  life  to  secure  its  permanent  estab- 
lishment in  my  own  country  ;  my  anxious  recollec- 
tions, my  sympathetick  feelings,  and  my  best  wish- 
es  are  irresistibly  attracted,   whensoever,    in    any 
country,  I  see  an  oppressed  nation  unfurl  the  ban- 
ners of  freedom.      But  above  all,  the  events  of  the 
French  revolution  have  produced  the  deepest  solici- 
tude, as  well  as  the  highest  admiration.      To  call 
your  nation  brave,  were  to  pronounce  but  common 
praise.    Wonderful  people  !  Ages  to  come  will  read 
with  astonishment  the  history  of  your  brilliant  ex- 
ploits.    I  rejoice  that  the  period  of  your  toils  and  of 
your  immense  sacrifices  is  approaching.      I  rejoice 
that  the  interesting  revolutionary  movements  of  so 
many  years  have  issued  in  the  formation  of  a  Con- 
stitution designed  to  give  permanency  to  the  great 
object  for  which  you  have  contended.      I  rejoice 
that  liberty,  which  you  have  so  long  embraced  with 
enthusiasm... .liberty,  of  which  you  have  been  the 
invincible  defenders,  now  finds  an  asylum  in   the 
bosom   of  a  regularly   organized   government  ;    a 
government  which,  being  formed  to  secure  the  hap- 
piness of  the  Frencli  people,  corresponds  with  the 
ardent  wishes  of  my  heart,   while  it  gratifies  the 
pride  of  every  citizen  of  the  United  States  by  its  re- 
semblance to  their  own.     On  these  glorious  events, 
accept,  sir,  my  sincere  congratulations. 

"  In  delivering  to  you  these  sentiments,  I  ex- 
press not  my  own  feelings  only,  but  those  of  my  fel- 


456  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  flVOS-frf 

low  Citizens  in  relation  to  the  commencement,  the 
progress,  and  the  issue  of  the  French  revolution  ; 
and  they  will  certainly  join  with  me  in  purest  wishes 
to  the  Supreme  Being,  that  the  citizens  of  our  sis- 
ter republick,  our  magnanimous  allies,  may  soon 
enjoy  in  peace,  that  liberty  which  they  have  pur- 
chased at  so  great  a  price,  and  all  the  happiness  that 
liberty  can  bestow. 

*'  I  receive,  sir,  with  lively  sensibilit)'^,  the  sym- 
bol of  the  triumphs,  and  of  the  infranchisements  of 
your  nation,  the  colours  of  France,  which  you  have 
now  presented  to  the  United  States.  The  transac- 
tion will  be  announced  to  Congress,  and  the  colours 
"will  be  deposited  with  the  archives  of  the  United 
States,  which  are  at  once  the  evidence  and  the  me- 
morials of  their  freedom  and  independence  ;  may 
these  be  perpetual ;  and  may  the  friendship  of  the 
two  Republicks  be  commensurate  with  their  exist- 
ence." 

The  address  of  the  French  Minister,  the  reply  of 
the  President,  the  flag  of  France,  and  the  letter  of 
the  Committee  of  Safety  were  all  transmitted  by  the 
President  to  Congress. 

In  February  1796,  the  treaty  w'as  returned  in  the 
form  recommended  by  ihe  Senate,  and  ratified  by  his 
Britannick  Majesty  ;  and  on  the  last  of  that  month, 
the  President  issued  his  Proclamation  stating  its  rat- 
ification,  and  declaring  it  to  be  the  la\v  of  the  land. 

The  predominant  party  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives expressed  surprise,  that  this  Proclamation 
should  be  issued  before  the  sense  of  the  House  was 
taken  on  the  subject ;  as  they  denied  the  power  of 


1795-t.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  457 

the  President  and  Senate  to  complete  a  treaty  with- 
out their  sanction.  In  March  a  resolution  passed, 
requesting  the  President  *'  to  lay  before  the  House 
a  copy  of  the  instructions  to  the  Minister  of  the  U- 
nitcd  States,  who  negotiated  the  treaty  with  the  King 
of  Great  Britain,  communicated  by  his  message  of 
the  first  of  March,  together  with  the  correspondence 
and  other  documents  relative  to  the  said  treaty  ;  ex- 
cepting such  of  the  said  papers  as  any  existing  ne- 
gotiation may  render    improper  to  be  disclosed." 

This  resolve  placed  the  President  in  a  situation 
of  high  responsibility.  He  knew  that  the  majority 
of  the  House  entertained  the  opinion,  that  a  treaty- 
was  not  valid  until  they  had  acted  upon  it.  To  op- 
pose, in  a  government  constituted  like  that  of  the  U- 
nited  States,  the  popular  branch  of  the  Legislature 
would  be  attended  with  hazard,  and  subject  him  to 
much  censure  and  abuse  ;  but  considerations  of 
this  nature  make  but  weak  impressions  on  a  mind 
supremely  solicitous  to  promote  the  publick  in- 
terest. 

Upon  the  most  mature  deliberation,  the  Presi- 
dent conceived,  that  to  grant  this  request  of  the 
House,  would  establish  a  false  and  dangerous  princi- 
ple in  the  diplomatick  transactions  of  the  nation, 
and  he  gave  the  following  answer  to  their  request. 

*'  GENTLEMEN    OF    THE 

HOUSE    OF    REPRESENTATIVES, 

"  With  the  utmost  attention  I  have  considered 
your  resolution  of  the  24th  instant,  requesting  me  to 
lay  before  your  House,  a  copy  of  the  instructions  to 
the  Minister  of  the  United  States,  who  negotiated 

L  L  L 


458  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7^=. 

the  treaty  with  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  together 
with  the  correspondence  and  other  documents  rela- 
tive to  that  treaty,  excepting  such  of  the  said  papers 
as  any  existing  negotiation  may  render  improper  to 
be  disclosed. 

*'  In  deliberating  upon  this  subject,  it  was  im- 
possible for  me  to  lose  sight  of  the  principle  which 
some  have  avowed  in  its  discussion,  or  to  avoid  ex- 
tending my  views  to  the  consequences  which  must 
flaw  from  the  admission  of  that  principle. 

*'  I  trust  that  no  part  of  my  conduct  has  ever  in- 
dicated a  disposition  to  withhold  any  information 
which  the  Constitution  has  enjoined  it  upon  the 
President  as  a  duty  to  give,  or  which  could  be  re- 
quired of  him  by  either  house  of  Congress  as  a 
right  ;  and  with  truth  I  affirm,  that  it  has  been,  and 
will  continue  to  be,  while  I  have  the  honour  to  pre- 
side in  the  government,  my  constant  endeavour  to 
harmonize  with  the  other  branches  thereof,  as  far  as 
the  trust  delegated  to  me  by  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  and  my  sense  of  the  obligation  it  imposes,  to 
preserve,  protect,  and  defend  the  Constitution,  will 
permit. 

*'  The  nature  of  foreign  negotiations  require 
caution,  and  their  success  must  often  depend  on  se- 
crecy ;  and  even  when  brought  to  a  conclusion,  a 
full  disclosure  of  all  the  measures,  demands,  or 
eventual  concessions  which  may  have  been  proposed 
or  contemplated,  would  be  extremely  impolitick  ; 
for  this  might  have  a  pernicious  influence  on  future 
negotiations,  or  produce  immediate  inconveniences, 
perhaps  danger  and  mischief  to  other  persons.    The 


1793-7.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  4.59 

necessity  of  such  caution  and  secrecy  was  one  co- 
gent reason  for  vesting  the  power  of  making  treaties 
in  the  President,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Senate,  the  principle  on  which  that  body  was  form- 
ed, confining  it  to  a  small  number  of  members. 

"  To  admit  then  a  right  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives to  demand  and  to  have  as  a  matter  of 
course,  all  the  papers  respecting  a  negotiation  with  a 
foreign  power,  would  be  to  establisii  a  dangerous 
precedent. 

"  It  does  not  occur  that  the  inspection  of  the  pa- 
pers asked  for,  can  be  relative  to  any  purpose  under 
the  cognizance  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  ex- 
cept that  of  an  impeachment,  which  the  resolution 
has  not  expressed.  I  repeat  that  I  have  no  disposi- 
tion to  withhold  any  information  which  the  duty  of 
my  station  will  permit,  or  the  publick  good  shall  re- 
quire to  be  disclosed ;  and  in  fact,  all  the  papers  af- 
fecting the  negotiation  with  Great  Britain  were  laid 
before  the  Senate,  when  the  treaty  itself  was  commu- 
nicated for  their  consideration  and  advice. 

'*  The  course  which  the  debate  has  taken  on  the 
resolution  of  the  house,  leads  to  some  observations 
on  the  mode  of  making  treaties  under  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States. 

"  Having  been  a  member  of  the  General  Con- 
vention, and  knowing  the  principles  on  which  the 
Constitution  was  formed,  I  have  ever  entertained  but 
one  opinion  upon  this  subject  ;  and  from  the  first 
establishment  of  the  government  to  this  moment,  my 
conduct  has  exemplified  that  opinion.  That  the 
power  of  making  treaties  is  exclusively  vested  in  the 


460  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON,  [1793-7, 

Prcsident,  by  and  widi  the  advice  and  consent  of 
the  Senate,  provided  two  thirds  of  the  Senators  pres- 
ent concur  ;  and  that  every  treaty  so  made,  and 
promulgated,  thenceforward  becomes  the  law  of 
the  land.  It  is  thus  that  the  treaty  making  po\ver 
has  been  understood  by  foreign  nations  ;  and  in  all 
the  treaties  made  with  them,  we  have  declared,  and 
they  have  believed,  that  when  ratified  by  the  Presi- 
dent with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  they 
became  obligatory.  In  this  construction  of  the 
Constitution,  every  House  of  Representatives  has 
heretofore  acquiesced  ;  and  until  the  present  time, 
not  a  doubt  or  suspicion  has  appeared  to  my  knowl- 
edge, that  this  construction  was  not  the  true  one. 
Nay,  they  have  more  than  acquiesced ;  for  until 
now,  without  controverting  the  obligations  of  such 
treaties,  they  have  made  all  the  requisite  provisions 
for  carrying  them  into  effect. 

"  There  is  also  reason  to  believe  that  this  con- 
struction agrees  with  the  opinions  entertained  by  the 
State  Conventions,  when  they  were  deliberating  on 
the  Constitution  ;  especially  by  those  who  objected 
to  it,  because  there  was  not  required  in  commercial 
treaties,  the  consent  of  two  thirds  of  the  whole  num- 
ber of  the  members  of  the  Senate,  instead  of  two 
thirds  of  the  Senators  present ;  and  because  in  trea- 
ties respecting  territorial,  and  certain  other  rights 
and  claims,  the  concurrence  of  three  fourths  of  the 
"whole  number  of  the  members  of  both  houses  res- 
pectively, was  not  made  necessary. 

*'  It  is  a  fact  declared  by  the  General  Conven- 
tion and  universally  understood,  that  the  Constitij- 


1793^-7.]  LIFB    Of    WASHINGTON.  461 

tion  of  the  United  States  was  the  result  of  a  spirit 
of  amity  and  mutual  concession.  And  it  is  well 
known,  that  under  this  influence,  the  smaller  states 
were  admitted  to  an  equal  representation  in  the 
Senate  with  the  larger  states  ;  and  that  this  branch 
of  the  government  was  invested  with  great  powers  ; 
for  on  the  equal  participation  of  those  powers,  the 
sovereignty  and  political  fafety  of  the  smaller  states 
were  deemed  essentially  to  depend. 

^'  If  other  proofs  than  these  and  the  plain  letter  of 
the  Constitution  itself  be  necessary  to  ascertain  the 
point  under  consideration,  they  may  be  found  in  the 
journals  of  the  General  Convention  which  1  have  de- 
posited in  the  office  of  the  Department  of  State.  In 
these  journals  it  will  appear,  that  a  proposition  was 
made,  that  no  treaty  should  be  binding  on  the  United 
States,  which  was  not  ratified  by  a  law  ;  and  that  the 
proposition  was  explicitly  rejected. 

"  As  therefore  it  is  perfectly  clear  to  my  under- 
standing that  the  assent  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives is  not  necessary  to  the  validity  of  a  treaty  ;  as 
the  treaty  with  Great  Britain  exhibits  in  itself  all  the 
objects  requiring  legislative  provision  ;  and  on  these 
the  papers  called  for  can  throw  no  light ;  and  as  it 
is  essential  to  the  due  administration  of  the  govern- 
ment, that  the  boundaries  fixed  by  the  Constitution 
between  the  different  departments  should  be  preserv- 
ed ;  a  just  regard  to  the  Constitution,  and  to  the 
duty  of  my  office,  under  all  the  circumstances  of 
this  case,  forbid  a  compliance  with  your  request." 

A  resolution  moved  in  the  House  to  make  the 
necessary  appropriations  to  carry  the  British  treaty 
into  effect  excited  amiong  the  members  the  strongest 


462  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

emotions  of  human  nature,  and  gave  rise  to  speech- 
es highly  argumentative,  eloquent  and  animated. 
The  debate  was  protracted  until  the  people  assumed 
the  subject.  In  their  respective  corporations,  meet- 
ings were  holden,  the  strength  of  parties  was  fully  tri- 
ed,and  it  clearly  appeared  that  the  great  majority  were 
disposed  to  rally  around  the  Executive.  Innumer- 
able petitions  were  presented  to  Congress  praying 
them  to  make  the  requisite  appropriations. 

Unwilling  to  take  upon  themselves  the  conse- 
quences of  resisting  the  publick  will,  Congress  made 
the  appropriations. 

It  was  not  in  the  administration  of  the  govern- 
ment only,  that  General  Washington  found  it  nec- 
essary to  exercise  great  caution  and  prudence.  Tiie 
convulsions  of  France  and  the  political  divisions  of 
the  United  States,  rendered  it  expedient  that  he 
should  be  circumspect  in  his  personal  friendships, 
and  in  the  exercise  of  benevolent  offices  towards  in- 
dividual characters. 

A  sincere  friendship  had  been  formed  between 
him  and  the  Marquis  La  Fayette.  This  friend- 
ship was  not  disturbed  by  those  vicissitudes  in 
France,  which  occasioned  the  exile  and  foreign  im- 
prisonment of  that  nobleman.  These  rather  in- 
creased the  sensibility,  and  stengthened  the  attach- 
ment of  the  President  towards  the  unfortunate  Mar- 
quis. But  on  account  of  the  state  of  parties  in 
France  and  America,  interpositions  in  his  favour 
were  privately  made.  The  American  Ministers  at 
Foreign  Courts  were  directed  in  an  unofficial  man- 
ner to  exert  themselves  to  obtain  his  liberation,  or 


1793-7.]  LIFE    OF    WASHIMGTOI*.  465 

to  render  his  confinement  less  oppressive,  A  con- 
fidential agent  was  sent  to  Berlin  to  solicit  his  liber- 
ty ;  but  before  he  reached  his  place  of  destination, 
the  King  of  Prussia  had  surrendered  the  Marquis  to 
the  Emperour  of  Germany.  Mr.  Pinckney  then  at 
the  Court  of  London,  was  directed  to  intimate  the 
the  \vishes  of  the  President  to  the  Austrian  Minis- 
ter at  that  Court,  and  to  solicit  the  influence  of  the 
British  Cabinet  in  favour  of  the  illustrious  prisoner. 
Disappointed  in  the  expected  mediation  of  Great 
Britain,  the  President  addressed  the  following  letter 
immediately  to  the  Emperour  of  Germany. 

"  It  will  readily  occur  to  your  Majesty  that  oc- 
casions may  sometimes  exist,  on  which  official  con- 
siderations would  constrain  the  Chief  of  a  nation  to 
be  silent  and  passive  in  relation  even  to  objects 
"which  affect  his  sensibility,  and  claim  his  interposi- 
tion as  a  man.  Finding  myself  precisely  in  this  sit- 
uation at  present,  I  take  the  liberty  of  writing  this 
private  letter  to  your  Majesty,  being  persuaded  that 
my  motives  will  also  be  my  apology  for  it. 

"In  common  with  the  people  of  this  country,  I 
retain  a  strong  and  cordial  sense  of  the  services  ren- 
dered to  them  by  the  Marquis  La  Fayette ;  and 
my  friendship  for  him  has  been  constant  and  sin- 
cere. It  is  natural,  therefore,  that  I  should  sym- 
pathize' with  him  and  his  family  in  their  misfor- 
tunes, and  endeavour  to  mitigate  the  calamities  they 
experience,  among  which  his  present  confinement  isf 
not  the  least  distressing. 

"  I  forbear  to  enlarge  on  this  delicate  subject. 
Pemiit  me  only  to  submit  to  your  Majesty's  consid- 


464  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1793-7. 

eration,  whether  his  long  imprisonment,  and  the 
confiscation  of  his  estate,  and  the  indigence  and  dis- 
persion of  his  family,  and  the  painful  anxieties  inci-» 
dent  to  all  those  circumstances,  do  not  form  an  as- 
semblage of  sufferings,  which  recommend  him  to 
the  mediation  of  humanity  ?  Allow  me,  sir,  on 
this  occasion,  to  be  its  organ  ;  and  to  entreat  that 
he  may  be  permitted  to  come  to  this  country  on 
such  conditions,  and  under  such  restrictions  as 
your  Majesty  may  think  it  expedient  to  prescribe. 

*'  As  it  is  a  maxim  with  me  not  to  ask,  what 
under  similar  circumstances,  I  would  not  grant, 
your  Majesty  will  do  me  the  justice  to  believe,  that 
this  request  appears  to  me  to  correspond  with  those 
great  principles  of  magnanimity  and  wisdom,  which 
form  the  basis  of  sound  policy  and  durable  glory." 

This  letter  was  sent  to  Mr.  Pinckney,  and  was 
by  him  transmitted  through  the  Austrian  Minister 
to  the  Emperour.  From  this  period  the  Marquis 
was  treated  with  more  mildness,  and  was  soon  after 
discharged  from  his  confinement ;  but  what  influ- 
ence the  President's  letter  had  on  these  measures,  is 
not  known. 

In  1795,  George  Washington  Motier  La  Fay- 
ette, the  son  of  the  Marquis  La  Fayette,  made  his  es- 
cape from  France,  and  arrived  with  his  tutor  at 
Boston.  He  immediately  by  letter  communicated 
his  situation  to  Gen.  Washington  and  solicited  his 
advice  and  patronage.  The  mother  of  young  Fay- 
ette was  then  in  France,  and  the  President  was  sur- 
rounded by  Frenchmen,  the  agents  or  friends  of  the 
administration,  which  had  denounced  the  Marquis. 


179J-7.]  MFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  465 

These  men  were  ready  to  denounce  every  act  of 
favour  done  to  a  man  who  was  proscribed  by  the 
French  Government.  From  regard  to  the  safety  of 
that  lady,  and  from  prudential  considerations  in  res- 
pect to  his  own  official  character,  he  thought  it  un- 
advisable  to  invite  him  immediately  to  the  seat  of 
government,  and  publickly  to  espouse  his  interest. 
But  he  wrote  confidentially  to  a  friend  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Boston,  requesting  him  to  visit  the 
young  gentleman,  to  acquaint  him  with  the  reason, 
which  rendered  it  ineligible  that  he  should  be  invit- 
ed into  the  President's  family,  and  to  adopt  the 
language  of  the  letter,  to  '*  administer  all  the  conso- 
lation that  he  can  derive  from  the  most  unequivocal 
assurances  of  my  standing  in  the  place,  and  becom- 
ing to  him  a  father^  friend^  protector  and  sup' 
porter. 

*'  Considering  how  important  it  is  to  avoid  idle- 
ness and  dissipation.... to  improve  his  mind.... and 
to  give  him  all  the  advantages  which  education  can 
bestow,  my  opinion  and  my  advice  to  him  is,  (if  he 
is  qualified  for  admission)  that  he  should  enter  as 
a  student  at  the  University  in  Cambridge  ;  although 
it  should  be  for  a  short  time  only.  The  expense  of 
which,  as  also  for  t\^Yy  other  means  for  his  sup- 
port, I  will  pay  ;  and  now  do  authorize  you,  my  dear 
sir,  to  draw  upon  me  accordingly.  And  if  it  be  de- 
sired that  his  tutor  should  accompany  him  to  the 
University,  any  expense  that  he  shall  incur  for  the 
purpose,  shall  be  borne  by  me  in  like  manner.'* 

M   M   M 


466  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1793-T. 

The  tutor  of  young  Fayette  thought  he  might 
xvith  more  advantage  pursue  his  studies  in  private^ 
and  therefore  he  did  not  enter  the  University. 

The  members  of  Congress,  in  opposition  to  the 
measures  of  the  Administration,  obtained  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  arrival  of  a  son  of  the  Marquis  La  Fay- 
ette in  some  part  of  America.  Expecting  perhaps 
that  the  President  had  maintained  a  cold  and  unfeel- 
ing reserve  towards  him,  they  instituted  an  inquiry 
into  his  situation  ;  and  when  they  discovered  that 
the  President  had  extended  towards  young  Fayette 
the  assistance  and  the  protection  of  a  friend  and  a 
father,  they  dropt  the  subject. 

This  young  gentleman  did  not  remain  for  a 
length  of  time  in  the  United  States.  Returning  to 
France,  he  afterwards  distinguished  himself  as  an 
officer  in  the  army  of  Buonaparte,  but  has  beea 
refused  the  usual  promotion. 


17^-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON. 


4-67 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


The  President  calumniated. ...His  Letter  to  Mr.  Jefferson..., 
Statement  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. ...The  French 
Directory's  attemfit  to  control  the  American  Government.... 
Review  of  the  transactions  with  France. ...The  President 
declares  his  resolution  to  retire  from  Publick  Life. ...Meets 
Congress  for  the  last  Time  ....Describes  the  Letters  that  had 
been  forged... .Attends  the  Inauguration  of  Mr.  Adams.... 
Retires  to  Mount  Vernon. ...Threatening  attitude  of  France 
....General  Washington  appointed  Commander  in  Chief 
of  the  American  Fore  es.... His  opinion  of  Publick  Measurct 
....His  Indisposition  and  Death.,. .Conclusion, 


1796.  1  HEfriendsof  General  Washington 
knew  that  it  was  his  intention  to  decline  being  a 
candidate  at  the  third  election  of  President,  and  this 
was  expected  by  the  publick.  Warm  solicitations 
were  used  to  dissuade  him  from  the  intention,  but 
his  determination  was  fixed ;  and  nothing  could 
change  it,  excepting  a  crisis  in  the  affairs  of  his 
country,  which  would  render  retirement  incon- 
sistent with  his  duty,  and  derogatory  to  his  char- 
acter. 

In  the  possibility  of  such  an  event,  his  friends 
prevailed  with  him  to  withhold  the  publick  expres- 
sion of  his  design  until  it  should  become  necessary 
to  direct  the  attention  of  the  community  to  a  succes- 
fior.     This  silence  alarmed  the  party,  opposed  to  his 


468  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.  ,[l79G-9, 

administration.  His  personal  influence  at  the  head 
of  government,  they  conceived  could  alone  defeat 
their  plans,  and  prevent  a  revolution  in  the  National 
Council.  Since  the  ratification  of  the  British  treatv, 
they  had  laid  aside  the  decorous  language  and  ex- 
teriour  respect,  which  they  had,  until  that  period, 
observed  towards  the  President,  and  on  this  occa- 
sion they  with  the  utmost  virulence  assailed  his 
character.  His  merit  as  a  soldier,  and  his  wisdom 
and  patriotism  as  a  statesman,  were  denied ;  and 
even  his  honour  and  honesty  as  a  man  were  brought 
into  question.  Letters,  forged  and  published  in 
1776,  to  injure  his  reputation  as  the  General  in  the 
revolutionary  war,  were  at  this  time  republished  as 
genuine,  to  excite  prejudice  against  him.  The  que- 
ries, which  he  had  confidentially  proposed  to  the 
deliberation  of  his  Cabinet,  were  laid  before  the 
publick,  with  comments  designed  to  show,  that 
they  indicated  a  deadly  hostility  to  France.  The 
queries  could  have  come  before  the  publick 
only  by  a  breach  of  confidence  in  some  one  of 
the  Cabinet.  Mr.  Jefferson  was  disposed  to  prevent 
any  suspicion  from  resting  on  the  mind  of  General 
Washington,  that  he  was  the  dishonourable  indi- 
vidual, and  for  this  purpose  he  addressed  a  letter  to 
him,  to  which  the  President  gave  the  follow  ing  reply. 
"  If  1  had  entertained  any  suspicion  before,  that 
the  queries  which  have  been  published  in  Bache's 
paper,  proceeded  from  you,  the  assurances  you  have 
given  of  the  contrary  w  ould  have  removed  them ; 
but  the  truth  is,  I  harboured  none.  I  am  at  no  loss 
to  conjecture  from  what  source  they  flowed,  through 


,1796-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  469 

what  channel   they  were  conveyed,    nor  for  what 
purpose  they  and  similar  publications  appear. 

"  As  you  have  mentioned  the  subject  yourself, 
it  would  not  be  frank,  candid,  or  friendly  to  conceal, 
that  your  conduct  has  been  represented  as  derogat- 
ing from  that  opinion  I  conceived  you  entertained 
of  me  ;  that  to  your  particular  friends  and  connex- 
ions you  have  described,  and  they  have  denounced 
me,  as  a  person  under  dangerous  influence,  and  that 
if  I  would  listen  more  to  some  other  opinions^  all 
would  be  well.  My  answer  has  invariably  been, 
that  I  had  never  discovered  any  thing  in  the  conduct 
of  Mr.  Jefferson,  to  raise  suspicions  in  my  mind  of 
his  sincerity  ;  that  if  he  would  retrace  my  publick 
conduct  while  he  was  in  the  administration,  abun- 
dant proofs  would  occur  to  him,  that  truth  and  right 
decisions  were  the  sole  objects  of  my  pursuit ;  that 
there  were  as  many  instances  within  his  own  knowl- 
edge, of  my  having  decided  against  as  in  favour  of 
the  person  evidently  alluded  to ;  and  moreover,  that 
I  was  no  believer  in  the  infallibility  of  the  politicks 
or  measures  of  any  man  living.  In  short,  that  J 
was  no  party  man  myself,  and  that  the  first  wish 
of  my  heart  was,  if  parties  did  exist,  to  reconcile 
them. 

"  To  this  I  may  add,  and  very  truly,  that  until 
the  last  year  or  two,  I  had  no  conception  that  parties 
would,  or  even  could  go  the  lengths  I  have  beea 
witness  to;  nor  did  I  believe  until  lately,  that  it  was 
within  the  bounds  of  probability,  hardly  within  those 
of  possibility,  that  while  I  was  using  my  utmost  ex- 
ertions  to    establish  a  national  character  of  cur 


479  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  fl796-9, 

own,  Independent,  as  far  as  our  obligations 
and  justice  would  permit,  of  every  nation  of  the 
earth ;  and  wished  by  steering  a  steady  course  to 
preserve  this  country  from  the  horroursofa  desolat- 
ting  war,  I  should  be  accused  of  being  the  enemy 
of  one  nation,  and  subject  to  the  influence  of  an- 
other ;  and  to  prove  it,  that  every  act  of  my  ad- 
ministration would  be  tortured,  and  the  grossest  and 
most  insidious  misrepresentations  of  them  be  made, 
by  giving  one  side  only  of  a  subject,  and  that  too 
in  such  exaggerated  and  indecent  terms  as  could 
scarcely  be  applied  to  a  Nero.... to  a  notorious  de- 
faulter....or  even  to  a  common  pickpocket. 

"  But  enough  of  this.  1  have  already  gone 
further  in  the  expression  of  my  feelings  than  I  in- 
tended." 

General  Washington  was  also  atrociously 
charged  with  having  unlawfully  drawn  money  from 
the  publick  treasury  for  his  private  use.  This  charge 
was  supported  by  extracts  from  the  books  of  the 
Dational  treasury,  and  his  enemies  boasted  that 
they  had  discovered  an  indelible  blemish  in  his  char- 
acter ;  but  their  triumph  was  only  for  a  moment. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  published  a  state- 
ment of  facts,  by  which  it  clearly  appeared  that  the 
money  drawn  by  the  orders  of  the  President  had  in 
no  year  exceeded  the  appropriations  for  his  salary. 
He  received  no  publick  money  but  for  the  support  of 
liis  family,  in  some  quarters  of  the  year  the  receipts 
had  overrun  the  amount  due,  and  in  others  fallen 
short ;  and  that  the  President  himself  had  no  con- 
cern in  the  transaction,   the  business  having  been 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  47jl 

conducted  by  a  gentleman,  who  superintended  his 
household.  The  publick  frowned  his  accusers  into 
silence,  and  the  weapon  levelled  against  his  reputa- 
tion fell  innoxious  to  the  ground. 

The  Government  of  France  was  too  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  number  and  the  temper  of  their 
friends  in  the  United  States,  to  relinquish  the  plan 
formed  to  obtain  a  controling  influence  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  American  affairs.  Mr.  Fauchet  had 
made  formal  complaints  against  the  measures  of 
President  Washington.  For  a  time  his  remon- 
strances were  made  in  the  language  of  decency  and 
respect ;  but  at  the  close  of  his  ministry,  he  de- 
scended to  the  reproachful  manner  of  his  predeces- 
sor. Mr.  Adet  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  while  the 
Senate  were  deliberating  on  the  British  treaty,  and 
full  communications  were  made  to  him  on  the  sub- 
ject. Colonel  Monroe  was  also  furnished  with  doc- 
uments, calculated  to  remove  uneasiness  from  the 
minds  of  the  French  Directory  respecting  this  trans- 
action. But  instead  of  communicating  to  the  Di- 
rectory the  documents  and  reasonings  of  his  gov- 
ernment, while  they  were  deliberaUng  on  this  sub- 
ject, and  before  they  had  committed  themselves  by 
any  publick  act,  he  reserved  them  as  answers  to 
complaints,  that  the  government  of  France  might 
make  against  the  treaty  with  Great  Britain. 

The  President  well  knew  that  France  had  no  just 
ground  of  complaint  against  the  United  States  ;  but 
he  was  apprehensive  that  her  disappointment  at  the 
adjustment  of  a  controversy  which  had  long  me- 
naced war  between  Great  Britain  and  America,  would 


472  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  fl7^6-!^. 

induce  her  to  some  act  of  violence.  He  therefore 
deemed  it  highly  important,  that  there  should  be  a 
Minister  at  Paris,  who  fully  entered  into  the  views 
of  the  Administration.  Not  being  perfectly  satisfied 
with  Mr.  Monroe,  he  recalled  him,  and  appointed 
as  his  successor,  General  Charles  Cotesworth  Pinck- 
ney.  The  French  having  complained  of  most  of 
the  acts  of  the  American  Government,  in  relation 
to  the  powers  at  war,  by  order  of  the  President  these 
acts  were  carefully  reviewed,  a  fair  and  minute  de- 
tail of  all  points  of  difference  between  the  two  na- 
tions given,  and  the  measures  of  the  Administration 
defended  by  unanswerable  arguments.  Upon  this 
lucid  and  conclusive  vindication  of  the  mieasures  of 
the  Administration,  the  President  relied  to  remove 
jealousy  from  the  minds  of  the  Directory,  and  res- 
tore the  harmony  of  the  two  nations  ;  but  unhappi- 
ly the  party  at  home  had  taken  their  ground,  and 
were  not  by  auy  considerations  to  be  moved  from  it, 
and  supported  by  these,  the  French  Directory  were 
not  disposed  to  recede. 

At  the  near  approach  of  the  period  for  the  elec- 
tion of  a  President,  it  fully  appeared,  that  General 
Washington  had  not  lost  his  hold  on  the  affections 
and  confidence  of  his  countrymen.  The  publick 
sentiment  every  where  indicated  a  determination  to 
choose  no  man  an  elector,  on  whom  implicit  confi- 
dence could  not  be  placed,  to  give  his  suffrage  for 
General  Washington  ;  and  it  was  satisfactorily- 
ascertained,  that  should  the  General  consent  to  be  a 
candidate,  he  would  for  the  third  time  be  unani- 
mously chosen  President  of  the  United  States^ 


1796-9.3  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  473 

In  this  state  of  the  publick  mind,  in  the  month  of 
September  he  published  the  following  address. 

"friends  £s?  FELLOW    CITIZENS, 

"  The  period  for  a  new  election  of  a  citizen,  to 
administer  the  Executive  Government  of  the  United 
States  being  not  far  distant,  and  the  time  actually 
arrived,  when  your  thoughts  must  be  employed  in 
designating  the  person,  who  is  to  be  clothed  with 
that  important  trust,  it  appears  to  me  proper,  es- 
pecially as  it  may  conduce  to  a  more  distinct  ex- 
pression of  the  publick  voice,  that  I  should  now  ap- 
prize you  of  the  resolution  I  have  formed,  to  decline 
being  considered  among  the  number  of  those,  out  of 
whom  a  choice  is  to  be  made. 

"  I  beg  you,  at  the  same  time,  to  do  mc  the  jus- 
tice to  be  assured,  that  this  resolution  has  not  been 
taken,  without  a  strict  regard  to  all  the  considera- 
tions appertaining  to  the  relation  which  binds  a  du- 
tiful citizen  to  his  country ;  and  that,  in  withdraw- 
ing the  tender  of  service,  which  silence  in  my  situa- 
tion might  imply,  I  am  influenced  by  no  diminution 
of  zeal  for  your  future  interest ;  no'  deficiency  of 
grateful  respect  for  your  past  kindness  ;  but  am 
supported  by  a  full  conviction  that  the  step  is  com- 
patible with  both. 

"  The  acceptance  of,  and  continuance  hitherto  ia 
the  office  to  which  your  suffrages  have  twice  called 
me,  have  been  a  uniform  sacrifice  of  inclination  to 
the  opinion  of  duty,  and  to  a  deference  for  what  ap- 
peared to  be  your  desire.  I  constantly  hoped,  that 
it  would  have  been  much  earlier  in  my  power,  con-^ 
sistently  with  motives  which  I  was  not  at  liberty  to 

N   N  N 


474  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-&. 

disregard,  to  return  to  that  retirement,  from  which 
I  had  been  reluctantly  drawn.  The  strength  of  my 
inclination  to  do  this,  previous  to  the  last  election, 
had  even  led  to  the  preparation  of  an  address  to  de- 
clare it  to  }  ou  ;  but  mature  reflection  on  the  then 
perplexed  and  critical  posture  of  our  affairs  with 
foreign  nations,  and  the  unanimous  advice  of  per- 
sons entitled  to  my  confidence,  impelled  me  to  aban- 
don the  idea. 

"  I  rejoice  that  the  state  of  your  concerns,  external 
as  well  as  internal,  no  longer  renders  the  pursuit  of 
inclination  incompatible  with  the  sentiment  of  du- 
ty, or  propriety  ;  and  am  persuaded  whatever  par- 
tiality may  be  retained  for  my  services,  that  in  the 
pi esent  circumstances  of  our  country,  you  will  not 
disapprove  my  determination  to  retire. 

*'  The  impressions  with  which  I  first  undertook 
the  arduous  trust,  were  explained  on  the  proper  oc- 
casion. In  the  discharge  of  this  trust,  I  will  only  say, 
that  I  have,  with  good  intentions,  contributed  to- 
wards the  organization  and  administration  of  the 
government,  the  best  exertions  of  which  a  very  falli- 
ble judgment  was  capable.  Not  unconscious,  in  the 
outset,  of  the  inferiority  of  my  qualifications,  experi- 
.  ence  in  my  own  eyes,  perhaps  still  more  in  the  eyes 
of  others,  has  strengthened  the  motives  to  diffidence 
of  myself;  and  every  day  the  increasing  weight  of 
years  admonishes  me  more  and  more,  that  the  shade 
of  retirement  is  as  necessary  to  me  as  it  will  be  wel- 
come. Satisfied,  that  if  any  circumstances  have 
given  peculiar  value  to  my  services,  they  were  tem- 
porary, I  have  the  consolation  to  believe,  that  while 


1796-0.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  475 

choice  and  prudence  invite  me  to  quit  the  political 
scene,  patriotism  does  not  forbid  it. 

"  In  looking  forward  to  the  moment,  which  is 
to  terminate  the  career  of  my  pubhck  life,  my 
feelings  do  not  permit  me  to  suspend  the  deep 
acknowledgment  of  that  debt  of  gratitude  which  I 
owe  to  my  beloved  country,  for  the  many  honours  it 
has  conferred  upon  me ;  still  more  for  the  stedfast 
coDfidence  with  which  it  has  supported  me,  and  for 
the  opportunities  I  have  thence  enjoyed  of  inanifest- 
ing  my  inviolable  attachment,  by  services  faithful 
and  persevering,  though  in  usefulness  unequal  to  my 
zeal.  If  benefits  have  resulted  to  our  country  from 
these  services,  let  it  always  be  remembered  to  your 
praise,  and  as  an  instructive  examj)le  in  our  annals, 
that  under  circumstances  in  which  the  passions,  agi- 
tated in  every  direction,  were  liable  to  mislead, 
amidst  appearances  sometimes  dubious vicissi- 
tudes of  fortune,  often  discouraging. ...in  situations, 
in  which,  not  unfrequently,  want  of  success  has 
countenanced  the  spirit  of  criticism... .the  constancy 
of  your  support  was  the  essential  prop  of  the  efforts, 
and  a  guarantee  of  the  plans  by  which  they  w  ere 
effected.  Profoundly  penetrated  with  this  idea,  I 
shall  carry  it  with  me  to  my  grave,  as  a  strong  in- 
citement to  unceasing  vows,  that  Heaven  may  con- 
tinue to  you  the  choicest  tokens  of  its  beneficence 
....that  your  union  and  brotherly  affection  may  be 
perpetual. ...that  the  free  constitution,  which  is  the 
work  of  your  hands,  may  be  sacredly  maintained.... 
that  its  administration,  in  every  department,  may  be 
Stamped  with  wisdom  and  virtue.... that,  in  fine  the 


476  LIFK    OF     WASHINGTON.  [^1796->. 

happiness  of  the  people  of  these  states,  under  the 
auspices  of  liberty,  may  be  made  complete,  by  so 
careful  a  preservation,  and  so  prudent  a  use,  of  this 
blessing,  as  will  acquire  to  them  the  glory  of  recom- 
mending it  to  the  applause,  the  afibction  and  the 
adoption  of  every  nation  which  is  yet  a  stranger  to  it, 

*'  Here,  perhaps,  I  ought  to  stop.  But  a  solici- 
tude for  your  welfare,  which  cannot  end  but  with 
my  life,  and  the  apprehension  of  danger,  natural  to 
that  solicitude,  urge  me,  on  an  occasion  like  the 
present,  to  offer  to  your  solemn  contemplation,  and 
to  recommend  to  your  frequent  review,  some  senti- 
ments which  are  the  result  of  much  reflection,  of 
no  inconsiderable  observation,  and  which  appear  to 
me  all  important  to  the  permanency  of  your  felicity 
as  a  people.  These  will  be  offered  to  you  with  the 
more  freedom,  as  you  can  only  see  in  them,  the  dis. 
interested  warnings  of  a  parting  friend,  who  can 
possibly  have  no  personal  motive  to  bias  his  coun- 
sels. Nor  can  I  forget,  as  an  encouragement  to  it, 
your  indulgent  reception  of  my  sentiments  on  a  form^ 
er  and  not  dissimilar  occasion, 

"  Interwoven  as  is  the  love  of  liberty  with  every 
ligament  of  your  hearts,  no  recommendation  of  mine 
is  necessary  to  fortify  or  confirm  the  attachment, 

"  The  unity  of  government  which  constitutes 
you  one  people,  is  also  dear  to  you.  It  is  just- 
ly so,  for  it  is  a  main  pillar  in  the  edifice  of  your  real 
independence  ;  the  support  of  your  tranquillity  at 
home  ;  your  peace  abroad ;  of  your  safety  ;  of  your 
prosperity  ;  of  that  very  liberty  which  you  so  highly 
prize.      But,  as  it  is  easy  to  foresee,  that  from  dif. 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  477 

ferent  causes  and  from  different  quarters,  much  pains 
will  be  taken,  many  artifices  employed,  to  weaken 
in  your  minds  the  conviction  of  this  truth  ;  as  this 
is  the  point  in  your  political  fortress,  against  which 
the  batteries  of  internal  and  external  enemies  will 
be  most  constantly  and  actively  (though  often  cov- 
ertiy  and  insidiously)  directed  ;  it  is  of  infinite  mo- 
ment that  you  should  properly  estimate  the  immense 
value  of  your  national  union,  to  your  collective  and 
individual  happiness ;    that   you  should  cherish  a 
cordial,  habitual  and  immoveable  attachment  to  it ; 
accustoming  yourselves  to  think  and  speak  of  it,  as 
of  the  palladium  of  your  political  safety  and  prosper. 
ity  ;   watching  for  its  preservation  with  jealous  anx- 
iety ;  discountenancing  whatever  may  suggest  even 
a  suspicion  that  it  can,  in  any  event,  be  abandoned  ; 
and  indignantly  frowning  upon  the  first  dawning  of 
every  attempt  to  alienate  any  portion  of  our  country 
from  the  rest,   or  to  enfeeble  the  sacred  ties  which 
now  link  together  the  various  parts. 

"  For  this  you  have  every  inducement  of  sympa- 
thy and  interest.  Citizens  by  birth  or  choice,  of  a 
common  country,  that  country  has  a  right  to  con- 
centrate your  affections.  The  name  of  American^ 
which  belongs  to  you,  in  your  national  capacity, 
must  always  exalt  the  just  pride  of  patriotism,  more 
than  any  appellation  derived  from  local  discrimina- 
tions. With  slight  sliades  of  difference,  you  have 
the  same  religion,  manners,  habits  and  political 
principles.  You  have,  in  a  common  cause,  fought 
and  triumphed  together;  the  independence  and  lib- 
erty you  possess  are  the  work  of  joint  counsels,  and 


478  RIPE     01    WASHINGTON.  [i796-9, 

joint  efforts,  of  common  dangers,  sufferings  and  suc- 
cesses. 

But  these  considerations,  however  powerfullv 
they  address  themselves  to  your  sensibility,  are 
greatly  outweighed  by  those  which  apply  more  im- 
mediately to  your  interest.  Here  every  portion  of 
our  country  finds  the  most  commanding  motives  for 
carefully  guarding  and  preserving  the  union  of  the 
whole. 

The  North,  in  an  unrestrained  intercourse  with 
the  South,  protected  by  the  equal  laws  of  a  com- 
mon government,  finds  in  the  productions  of  the 
latter,  great  additional  resources  of  maritime  and 
commercial  enterprize,  and  precious  materials  of 
manufacturing  industry.  The  South,  in  the  same 
intercourse,  benefiting  by  the  agency  of  the  North, 
sees  its  agriculture  grow,  and  its  commerce  expand. 
Turning  partly  into  its  own  channels  the  seamen  of 
the  North,  it  finds  its  particular  navigation  invigor- 
ated....and  while  it  contributes,  in  different  ways,  to 
nourish  and  increase  the  general  mass  of  the  nation- 
al navigation,  it  looks  forward  to  the  protection  of  a 
maritime  strength,  to  which  itself  is  unequally- 
adapted. 

The  East,  in  like  intercourse  with  the  JFest, 
already  finds,  and  in  the  progressive  improvement 
of  interiour  communications,  by  land  and  water,wiU 
more  and  more  find  a  valuable  vent  for  the  com- 
modities which  it  brings  from  abroad,  or  manufac- 
tures at  home.  The  West  derives  from  the  East 
supplies  requisite  to  its  growth  and  comfort.... and 
what  is,  perhaps,   of  still   greater  consequence,   it 


1796-9.1  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  47^ 

must  of  necessity  owe  the  secure  enjoyment  of  indis- 
pensable outlets,  for  its  own  productions,  to  the 
weight,  influence,  and  the  future  maritime  strength 
of  the  Atlantick  side  of  the  Union,  directed  by  an  in- 
dissoluble community  of  interest  as  one  nation* 
Any  other  tenure  by  which  the  M^est  can  hold  this 
essential  advantage,  whether  derived  from  its  own 
separate  strength,  or  from  an  apostate  and  unnatural 
connexion  with  any  foreign  power,  must  be  intrin- 
sically precarious. 

While  then  every  part  of  our  country  thus  feels 
an  immediate  and  particular  interest  in  union,  all 
the  parts  combined  cannot  fail  to  find  in  the  united 
mass  of  means  and  efforts,  greater  strength,  gi-eater 
resource,  proportionably  greater  security  from  ex- 
ternal danger.. ..a  less  frequent  interruption  of  their 
peace  by  foreign  nations,  and  what  is  of  inestimable 
value,  they  must  derive  from  union  an  exemption 
from  those  broils  and  wars  between  themselves,' 
which  so  frequently  afflict  neighbouring  countries 
not  tied  together  by  the  same  government ;  which 
their  own  rivalships  alone  would  be  sufficient  to  pro- 
duce, but  which  opposite  foreign  alliances,  attach- 
ments and  intrigues  would  stimulate  and  embitter. 
Hence,  likewise,  they  will  avoid  the  necessity  of 
those  overgrown  military  establishments,  which, 
under  any  form  of  government,  are  inauspicious  to 
liberty,  and  which  are  to  be  regarded  as  particularly 
hostile  to  republican  liberty.  In  this  sense  it  is, 
that  your  Union  ought  to  be  considered  as  the  main 
prop  of  your  liberty,  and  that  the  love  of  the  one 
ought  to  endear  to  you  the  preservation  of  the 
©ther. 


4S0  WFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-9. 

These  considerations  speak  a  persuasive  lan- 
guage to  every  reflecting  and  virtuous  mind,  and 
exhibit  the  continuance  of  the  Union  as  a  primary 
object  of  patriotick  desire.  Is  there  a  doubt  wheth- 
er a  common  government  can  embrace  so  large  a 
sphere  ?  Let  experience  solve  it.  To  listen  to 
mere  speculation  in  such  a  case  were  criminal.  We 
are  authorized  to  hope  that  a  proper  organization  of 
the  whole,  with  the  auxiliary  agency  of  governments 
for  the  respective  subdivisions,  will  afford  a  happy 
issue  to  the  experiment.  It  is  well  worth  a 
fair  and  full  experiment.  With  such  powerful  and 
obvious  motives  to  Union,  affecting  all  parts  of  our 
country,  while  experience  shall  not  have  demonstrat- 
ed its  impracticability,  there  will  always  be  reason 
to  distrust  the  patriotism  of  those,  who,  in  any  quar- 
ter, may  endeavour  to  weaken  its  bands. 

In  contemplating  the  causes  which  may  disturb 
our  Union,  it  occurs  as  a  matter  of  serious  concern, 
that  any  ground  should  have  been  furnished  for 
characterising  parties,  by  geographical  discrimina- 
tions, Northern^iW^  Southern^  Ai/antick  and  fFestern; 
whence  designing  men  may  endeavour  to  excite  a 
belief,  that  there  is  a  real  difference  of  local  interests 
and  views.  One  of  the  expedients  of  party  to  ac- 
quire influence,  within  particular  districts,  is  to 
misrepresent  the  opinions  and  aims  of  other  dis- 
tricts. You  cannot  shield  yourselves  too  much 
against  the  jealousies  and  heart  burnings  which 
spring  from  these  misrepresentations  ;  they  tend  to 
render  alien  to  each  other  those  who  ought  to  be 
bound  together  by  fraternal  affection.     The  inhab- 


[1796-9.  LIJK     OP    WASHINGTON.  481 

itants  of  our  western  country  have  lately  had  a 
useful  lesson  on  this  head  :  They  have  seen  in 
the  negotiation  by  the  Executive,  and  in  the  unani- 
mous ratification  by  the  Senate,  of  the  treaty  with 
Spain,  and  in  the  universal  satisfaction  at  that  event 
throughout  the  United  States,  a  decisive  proof  how 
unfounded  were  the  suspicions  propagated  among 
them,  of  a  policy  in  the  general  government  and 
in  the  Atlantick  states,  unfriendly  to  their  interests  in 
regard  to  the  Mississippi :  They  have  been  witnesses 
to  the  formation  of  two  treaties,  that  with  Great 
Britain  and  that  with  Spain,  which  secure  to  them 
every  thing  they  could  desire,  in  respect  to  our  for- 
eign relations,  towards  confirming  their  prosperity. 
Will  it  not  be  their  wisdom  to  rely  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  these  advantages  on  the  Union,  by  which 
they  were  procured  ?  Will  they  not  henceforth  be 
deaf  to  those  advisers,  if  such  there  are,  who  would 
sever  them  from  their  brethren,  and  connect  them 
with  aliens  ?  , 

"  To  the  efficacy  and  permanency  of  your  Union, 
a  government  for  the  whole  is  indispensable.  No 
alliances,  however  strict,  between  the  parts,  can  be 
an  adequate  substitute.  They  must  inevitably  ex- 
perience the  infractions  and  interruptions  which  all 
alliances,  in  all  times,  have  experienced.  Sensible 
of  this  momentous  truth,  you  have  improved  upon 
your  first  essay,  by  the  adoption  of  a  Constitution  of 
Government,  better  calculated  than  your  former  for  an 
intimate  Union,  and  for  the  efficacious  management 
of  your  common  concerns.     This  government,  the 

0  o  o 


4-82  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-9* 

offspring  of  our  own  choice,  uninfluenced  and  un- 
avved,  adopted  upon  full  investigation  and  mature 
deliberation,  completely  free  in  its  principles,  in  the 
distribution  of  its  powers,  uniting  security  with  en- 
ergy, and  containing  within  itself  a  provision  for  its 
own  amendment,  has  a  just  claim  to  your  confi- 
dence and  your  support.  Respect  for  its  authority, 
compliance  with  its  laws,  acquiescence  in  its  mcas-: 
ures,  are  duties  enjoined  by  the  fundamental  max- 
ims of  true  liberty.  The  basis  of  our  political  sys- 
tems is,  the  right  of  the  people  to  make  and  to  alter 
their  constitution  of  government.  But  the  consti- 
tution which  at  any  time  exists,  until  changed  by 
an  explicit  and  authentickactof  the  whole  people,  is 
sacredly  obligatory  upon  all.  The  very  idea  of  the 
power  and  the  right  of  the  people  to  establish  gov- 
ernment, presupposes  the  duty  of  every  individual 
to  obey  the  established  government. 

"  All  obstructions  to  the  execution  of  the  laws, 
all  combinations  and  associations,  under  whatever 
plausible  character,  with  the  real  design  to  direct, 
control,  counteract,  or  awe  the  regular  delibera- 
tion and  action  of  the  constituted  authorities,  are 
destructive  of  this  fundamental  principle,  and  of  fa- 
tal tendency.  They  serve  to  organize  faction,  to 
give  it  an  artificial  and  extraordinary  force,  to  put 
in  the  place  of  the  delegated  will  of  the  nation,  the 
will  of  a  party,  often  a  small,  but  artful  and  enter- 
prising minority  of  the  community  ;  and,  according 
to  the  alternate  triumphs  of  different  parties,  to 
make  the  publick  administration  the  mirror  of  the  ill 
concerted  ^nd  incongruous  projects  of  faction,  rather 


1796^9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  483 

than  the  organ  of  consistent  and  wholesome  plans, 
digested  by  common  councils,  and  modified  by  mur 
tual  interests. 

*'  However  combinations  or  associations  of  the 
above  description,  may  now  and  then  answer  popu- 
lar ends,  they  are  likely,  in  the  course  of  time  and 
things,  to  become  potent  engines,  by  which  cun- 
ning, ambitious  and  unprincipled  men,  will  be  ena- 
bled to  subvert  the  power  of  the  people,  and  to  u- 
surp  for  themselves  the  reins  of  government;  des- 
troying, afterwards,  the  very  engines  which  had 
lifted  them  to  unjust  dominion. 

"  Towards  the  preservation  of  your  government, 
and  the  permanency  of  your  present  happy  state, 
it  is  requisite,  not  only  that  you  steadily  discounte- 
nance irregular  oppositions  to  its  acknowledged  au- 
thority, but  also  that  you  resist,  with  care,  the  spirit 
of  innovation  upon  its  principles,  however  specious 
the  pretext.  One  method  of  assault  may  be  to  ef- 
fect, in  the  forms  of  the  Constitution,  alterations 
\yhich  will  impair  the  energy  of  the  system,  and  thus 
to  undermine  what  cannot  be  directly  overthrovv'n. 
In  all  the  changes  to  which  you  may  be  invited, 
remember  that  time  and  habit  are  at  least  as  necessa- 
ry to  fix  the  true  character  of  government,  as  of 
other  human  institutions  ;  that  experience  is  the  sur- 
est standard,  by  which  to  test  the  real  tendency  of 
the  existing  constitution  of  a  country  ;  that  facility 
in  changes,  upon  tlie  credit  of  mere  hypothesis  and 
opinion,  exposes  to  perpetiial  change,  from  the  end- 
less variety  of  hypothesis  and  opinion  ;  and  remem- 
ber, especially,  that  for  the  efficient  management  of 


484  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1706-9. 

your  common  interests,  in  a  country  so  extensive 
as  ours,  a  government  of  as  much  vigour,  as  is  con- 
sistent with  the  perfect  security  of  Uberty,  is  indis- 
pensable. Liberty  itself  will  find  in  such  a  govern- 
ment, with  powers  properly  distributed  and  adjust- 
ed, its  surest  guardian.  It  is,  indeed,  little  else 
than  a  name,  where  the  government  is  too  feeble  to 
withstand  the  enterprises  of  faction,  to  confine  each 
member  of  the  society  within  the  limits  prescribed 
by  the  laws,  and  to  maintain  all  in  the  secure  and 
tranquil  enjoyment  of  the  rights  of  person  and  prop- 
erty. 

*'  I  have  already  intimated  to  you,  the  danger  of 
parties  in  the  state,  v^^ith  particular  references  to  the 
founding  of  them  on  geographical  discriminations. 
Let  me  now  take  a  more  comprehensive  view,  and 
warn  you  in  the  most  solemn  manner  against  the 
baneful  effects  of  the  spirit  of  party,  generally. 

"  This  spirit,  unfortunately,  is  inseparable  from 
our  nature,  having  its  root  in  the  strongest  passions 
of  the  human  mind.  It  exists  under  different  shapes, 
in  all  governments  ;  more  or  less  stifled,  control - 
ed,  or  repressed  ;  but  in  those  of  the  popular  form, 
it  is  seen  in  its  greatest  rankness,  and  is  truly  their 
worst  enemy. 

"  The  alternate  domination  of  one  faction  over  an- 
other, sharpened  by  the  spirit  of  revenge  natural  to 
party  dissention,  which  in  different  ages  and  coun- 
tries  has  perpetrated  the  most  horrid  enormities,  is 
itself  a  frightful  despotism  :  But  this  leads  at  length 
to  a  more  formal  and  permanent  despotism.  The 
disorders  and  miseries  which  result,   gradually  in- 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  485 

cline  the  minds  of  men  to  seek  security  and  repose 
in  the  absolute  power  of  an  individual ;  and  sooner 
or  later,  the  chief  of  some  prevailing  faction,  more 
able  or  more  fortunate  than  his  competitors,  turns 
this  disposition  to  the  purposes  of  his  own  eleva- 
tion, on  the  ruins  of  publick  liberty. 

"  Without  looking  forward  to  an  extremity  of 
this  kind  (which  nevertheless  ought  not  to  be  en- 
tirely out  of  sight)  the  common  and  continual  mis- 
chiefs of  the  spirit  of  party  are  sufficient  to  make  it 
the  interest  and  duty  of  a  wise  people  to  discourage 
and  restrain  it.  It  serves  always  to  distract  the  pub- 
lick  councils  and  enfeeble  the  publick  administra- 
tion. It  agitates  the  community  with  illfounded 
jealousies  and  false  alarms ;  kindles  the  animosity 
of  one  part  against  another,  foments,  occasionally, 
riot  and  insurrection.  It  opens  the  door  to  foreign 
influence  and  corruption,  which  find  a  facilitated  ac- 
cess to  the  government  itself  through  the  channels 
of  party  passions.  Thus  the  policy  and  the  will  of 
one  country  are  subjected  to  the  policy  and  will  of 
another. 

"  There  is  an  opinion  that  parties  in  free  coun- 
tries are  useful  checks  upon  the  administration  of 
the  government,  and  serve  to  keep  alive  the  spirit  of 
liberty.  This,  within  certain  limits,  is  probably 
true,  and  in  governments  of  a  monarchical  cast,  pat- 
riotism  may  look  with  indulgence,  if  not  with  favour, 
upon  the  spirit  of  party.  But  in  those  of  the  popu- 
lar character,  in  governments  purely  elective,  it  is  a 
spirit  not  to  be  encouraged.  From  their  natural 
tendency  it  is  certain  there  will  always  be  enough  of 


486  I.IFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-1?. 

that  spirit  for  every  salutary  purpose  ;  and  there  be- 
ing constant  danger  of  excess,  the  effort  ought  to  be 
by  force  of  publick  opinion,  to  mitigate  and  assuage 
it.  A  fire  not  to  be  quenched,  it  demands  uni- 
form vigilance  to  prevent  its  bursting  into  a  flame, 
least  instead  of  warming  it  should  consume. 

"  It  is  important  likewise,  that  the  habits  of 
thinking,  in  a  free  country,  should  inspire  caution  in 
those  entrusted  with  its  administration,  to  confine 
themselves  within  their  respective  constitutional 
spheres,  avoiding  in  the  exercise  of  the  powers  of 
one  department  to  encroach  upon  another.  The 
spirit  of  encroachment  tends  to  consolidate  the  pow- 
ers of  all  the  departments  in  one,  and  thus  to  create, 
whatever  the  form  of  government,  a  real  despotism. 
A  just  estimate  of  that  love  of  power,  and  prone- 
ness  to  abuse  it,  which  predominate  in  the  human 
heart,  is  sufficient  to  satisfy  us  of  the  truth  of  this 
position.  The  necessity  of  reciprocal  checks  in  the 
exercise  of  political  power,  by  dividing  and  dis- 
tributing it  into  different  depositories,  and  constitut- 
ing each  the  guardian  of  the  publick  weal  against 
invasions  by  the  others,  has  been  evinced  by  experi- 
ments ancient  and  modern  ;  some  of  them  in  our 
country  and  under  our  own  eyes.  To  preserve  theni 
must  be  as  necessary  as  to  institute  them.  If,  in 
the  opinion  of  the  people,  the  distribution  or  modifi- 
cation of  the  constitutional  powers  be  in  any  partic- 
ular wrong,  let  it  be  corrected  by  an  amendment, 
in  the  vay  which  the  Constitution  designates  : 
But  let  there  be  no  change  by  usurpation ;  for 
though  this,  in  one  instance,  may  be  the  instrument 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OP    WASHINGTON.  487 

of  good,  it  is  the  customary  weapon  by  which  free 
governments  are  destroyed.  The  precedent  must 
always  greatly  over  balance  in  permanent  evil  any 
partial  or  transient  benefit  which  the  use  can  at  any 
time  yield. 

*'  Of  all  the  dispositions  and  habits  which  lead  to 
political  prosperity,  religion  and  morality  are  indis* 
pensable  supports.  In  vain  would  that  man  claim 
the  tribute  of  patriotism,  who  should  labour  to  sub- 
vert these  great  pillars  of  human  happiness,  these 
firmest  props  of  the  duties  of  men  and  citizens* 
The  mere  politician,  equally  with  the  pious  man, 
ought  to  respect  and  to  cherish  them.  A  volume 
could  not  trace  all  their  connexions  with  private 
and  publick  felicity.  Let  it  simply  be  asked,  where 
is  the  security  for  property,  for  reputation,  for  life, 
if  the  sense  of  religious  obligation  desert  the  oaths 
which  are  the  instruments  of  investigation  in  Courts 
of  Justice  r  And  let  us  with  caution  indulge  the 
supposition,  that  morality  can  be  maintained  with- 
out religion.  Whatever  may  be  conceded  to  the 
influence  of  refined  education  on  minds  of  peculiar 
structure,  reason  and  experience  both  forbid  us  to 
expect,  that  national  morality  can  prevail  in  exclu- 
sion of  religious  principle. 

"  It  is  substantially  true, that  virtue  or  morality  is 
a  necessary  spring  of  popular  government.  The  rule 
indeed  extends  with  more  or  less  force  to  every  sjie^ 
cies  of  free  government.  Wiio  that  is  a  sincere 
friend  to  it  can  look  with  indifference  upon  attempts 
to  shake  the  foundation  of  the  fabrick  ? 

"  Promote  then,  as  an  object  of  primary  impor- 
tance, institutions  for  the  general  diffusion  of  knovvl- 


488  LIFE    or    WASHINGTOIf.^  [l796'-9. 

edge.  Ill  proportion  as  the  structure  of  a  govern- 
ment gives  force  to  publick  opinion,  it  is  essential 
that  publick  opinion  should  be  enlightened. 

*'As  a  very  important  source  of  strength  and  secu- 
rity, cherish  publick  credit.  One  method  of  preserv- 
ing it,  is  to  use  it  as  sparingly  as  possible  ;  avoiding 
occasions  of  expense  by  cultivating  peace,  but  re- 
membering also,  that  timely  disbursements  to  pre- 
pare for  danger,  frequently  prevent  much  greater 
disbursements  to  repel  it  ;  Avoiding  likewise  the 
accumulation  of  debt,  not  only  by  shunning  occa- 
sions of  expense,  but  by  vigourous  exertions  in  time 
of  peace  to  discharge  the  debts  which  unavoidable 
wars  may  have  occasioned,  not  ungenerously  throw- 
ing upon  posterity  the  burthen  which  we  ourselves 
ought  to  bear.  The  execution  of  these  maxims  be- 
longs to  your  representatives,  but  it  is  necessary  that 
publick  opinion  should  cooperate.  To  facilitate  to 
them  the  performance  of  their  duty,  it  is  essential 
that  you  should  practically  bear  in  mind,  that  to- 
wards the  payment  of  debts  there  must  be  revenue  ; 
that  to  have  revenue  there  must  be  taxes  ;  that  no 
taxes  can  be  devised  which  are  not  more  or  less  in- 
convenient and  unpleasant ;  that  the  intrinsick  embar- 
rassment inseparable  from  the  selection  of  the  proper 
objects  (which  is  always  a  choice  of  difficulties) 
ouohtto  be  a  decisive  motive  for  a  candid  construe- 
tion  of  the  conduct  of  the  government  in  making  it ; 
and  for  a  spirit  of  acquiescence  in  the  measures  for 
obtaining  revenue,  which  the  publick  exigencies 
may  at  any  time  dictate. 

*'  Observe  good  feith  and  justice  towards  all  na- 
tions, cultivate  peace  and  harmony  with  all.    Religion 


1796-y.]  LIFE    OF    WASHlNGtOW.  489 

and  moralit}-  enjoin  this  conduct  ;  and  can  it  be, 
that  good  policy  does  not  equally  enjoin  it  ?  It  will 
be  worthy  of  a  free,  enlightened,  and  (at  no  distant 
period)  a  great  nation,  to  give  to  mankind  the  mag- 
nanihioas  and  too  novel  example  of  a  people  always 
guided  by  an  exalted  justice  and  benevolence.  Who 
can  doubt  in  the  course  of  time  and  things,  the 
fruits  of  such  a  plan  would  richly  repay  any  tempo- 
rary advantages  which  might  be  lost  by  a  steady  ad- 
herence to  it  ?  Can  it  be,  that  Providence  has  not  con- 
nected the  permanent  felicity  of  a  nation  with  its 
virtue  ?  The  experiment,  at  least,  is  recommended 
by  every  sentiment  which  ennobles  human  nature. 
Alas  !  is  it  rendered  impossible  by  its  vices  ? 

*'  In  the  execution  of  such  a  plan,  nothing  is 
more  essential  than  that  permanent,  inveterate  antip- 
athies against  particular  nations,  and  passionate  at- 
tachments for  others  should  be  excluded  ;  and  that 
in  place  of  them,  just  and  amicable  feelings  towards 
all  should  be  cultivated.  The  nation  which  indul- 
ges towards  another  an  habitual  hatred,  or  an  habit- 
ual fondness,  is  in  some  degree  a  slave.  It  is  a 
slave  to  its  animosity  or  to  its  affection,  either  of 
which  is  sufficient  to  lead  it  astray  from  its  duty  and 
its  interest.  Antipathy  in  one  nation,  against  anoth- 
er, disposes  each  more  readily  to  offer  insult  and 
injury,  to  lay  hold  of  slight  causes  of  umbrage,  and 
to  be  haughty  and  intractable,  when  accidental  or 
trifling  occasions  of  dispute  occur. 

"  Hence  frequent  collisions,  obstinate,  envenom- 
ed and  bloody  contests.     The  nation,  prompted  by 
ill  will  and  resentment,  sometimes  impels  to  war  tho 
p  p  p 


490  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON,  [1796-9. 

government,  contrary  to  the  best  calculations  of  pol- 
icy. The  government  sometimes  participates  in  the 
national  propensity,  and  adopts,  through  passion, 
what  reason  would  reject ;  at  other  times,  it  makes 
the  animosity  of  the  nation  subservient  to  projects  of 
hostility,  instigated  by  pride,  ambition  and  other  sin- 
ister and  pernicious  motives.  The  peace  often, 
sometimes,  perhaps,  the  liberty  of  nations  has  been 
the  victim. 

*'  So   likewise,  a  passionate  attachment  of  one 
nation  for  another  produces  a  variety  of  evils.    Sym- 
pathy for  the  flivourite  nation,  facilitating  the  illusion 
of  an  imaginary  common  interest,  in  cases  where  no 
real  common  interest  exists,  and  infusing  into  one 
the  enmities  of  the  other,  betrays  the  former  into  a 
participation  in  the  quarrels  and  wars  of  the  latter, 
without  adequate  inducement  or  justification.      It 
leads  also  to  concessions  to  the  favourite  nation  of 
privileges  denied  to  others,  which  is  apt  doubly  to 
injure  the  nation  making  the  concessions  ;    by  un- 
necessarily parting  with  what  ought  to  have  been  re- 
tained ;  and  by  exciting  jealousy,  ill  will,  and  a  dis- 
position to  retaliate,  in  the  parties  from  whom  equal 
privileges  are  withheld  :   And  it  gives  to  ambitious, 
corrupted,  or  deluded  citizens   (who  devote  them- 
selves to  the  favourite  nation)  facility  to  betray,  or 
sacrifice  the   interests  of  their  own  country,  without 
odium,  sometimes  even  with  popularity ;    gilding 
with  the  appearances  of  a  virtuous  sense  of  obliga- 
tion, a  commendable  deference  for  publick  opinion, 
or  a  laudable  zeal  for  publick  good,  the  base  or  fool- 
ish compliances  of  ambition,  corruption  or  infatua- 
tion. 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  4^1 

"  As  avenues  to  foreign  influence  in  innumera- 
ble ways,  such  attachments  are  particular!}'  alarm- 
ing to  the  truly  enlightened  and  independent  patriot. 
How  many  opportunities  do  they  afibrd  to  tamper 
with  domestick  factions,  to  practise  the  arts  of  seduc- 
tion, to  mislead  puWick  opinion,  to  influence  or  awe 
the  publick  councils  !  Such  an  attachment  of  a  small 
or  weak,  towards  a  great  and  powerful  nation, 
dooms  the  former  to  be  the  satellite  of  the  latter. 

"  Against  the  insidious  wiles  of  foreign  influ- 
ence (I  conjure  you  to  believe  me,  fellow  citizens) 
file  jealousy  of  a  free  people  ought  to  be  coristantly 
awake  ;  since  history  and  experience  prove  that  for. 
eign  influence  is  one  of  the  most  baneful  foes  of  re- 
publican government.  But  that  jealousy  to  be  use- 
ful must  be  impartial  ;  else  it  becomes  the  instru- 
ment of  the  very  influence  to  be  avoided,  instead  of 
a  defence  against  it.  Excessive  partiality  for  one 
foreign  nation,  and  excessive  dislike  of  another, 
cause  those  whom  they  actuate  to  see  danger  only 
on  one  side,  and  serve  to  veil  and  even  second  the 
arts  of  influence  on  the  other.  Real  patriots,  who 
may  resist  the  intrigues  of  the  favourite,  arq  liable  to 
become  suspected  and  odious  ;  v\  hile  its  tools  and 
dupes  usurp  the  applause  and  confidence  of  the  peo- 
ple, to  suiTcnder  their  interests. 

*'  The  great  rule  of  conduct  for  us,  in  regard  to 
foreign  nations,  is,  in  extending  our  commercial  re- 
lations, to  have  with  them  as  little  political  connex- 
ion as  possible.  So  far  as  we  have  already  formed 
engagements,  let  them  be  fulfilled  with  perfect  g^ood 
faith.     Here  let  us  stop. 


492  LIFE     OP     WASHINGTON.  [i795-9, 

"  Europe  has  a  set  of  primary  interests,  which 
to  us  have  none,  or  a  very  remote  relation.  Hence 
she  must  be  engaged  in  frequent  controversies,  the 
causes  of  which  are  essentially  foreign  to  our  con- 
cerns. Hence,  therefore,  it  must  be  unwise  in  us 
to  implicate  ourselves  by  artificial  ties,  in  the  ordina- 
ry vicissitudes  of  her  politicks,  or  the  ordinary  com^ 
binations  and  collisions  of  her  friendships,  or  enmi^ 
ties. 

*'  Our  detached  and  distant  situation  invites  and 
cna]:)les  us  to  pursue  a  different  course.  If  we  re- 
main one  people,  under  an  efficient  government,  the 
period  is  not  far  off,  when  we  may  defy  material  in- 
jury from  external  annoyance  ;  when  we  may  take 
such  an  attitude  as  will  cause  the  ncutralit}-  we  may 
at  any  time  resolve  upon,  to  be  scrupulously  respect- 
ed ;  when  belligerent  nations,  under  the  impossibili* 
ty  of  making  acquisitions  upon  us,  will  not  lightly 
hazard  the  giving  us  provocation  ;  when  we  may 
choose  peace  or  war,  as  our  interest,  guided  by  jus- 
tice, shall  counsel. 

"  Why  forego  the  advantages  of  so  peculiar  a 
situation  ?  Why  quit  our  own  to  stand  upon  foreign 
ground  ?  Why,  by  interweaving  our  destiny  with 
that  of  any  part  of  Europe,  entangle  our  peace  and 
prosperity  in  the  toils  of  European  ambition,  rivaU 
ship,  interest,  humour  or  caprice  ? 

"  It  is  our  true  policy  to  steer  clear  of  perma. 
nent  alliances  with  any  portion  of  the  foreign  world  ; 
so  far,  I  mean,  as  we  arc  now  at  liberty  to  do  it ;  for 
let  me  not  be  understood  as  capable  of  patronizing 
inHdelity  to  existing  engagements.    I  hold  the  max- 


1796-9.]  Lirt  01  Washington.  4S^3 

im  no  less  applicable  topublick  than  to  private  aflfairs, 
that  honesty  is  always  the  best  policy.  I  repeat  it, 
therefore,  let  those  engagements  be  observed  in  their 
genuine  sense.  But,  in  my  opinion,  it  is  unneces- 
sary and  would  be  unwise  to  extend  them. 

"  Taking  care  always  to  keep  ourselves,  by  suit- 
able establishments,  on  a  respectable  defensive  pos- 
ture, we  may  safely  trust  to  temporary  alliances  for 
extraordinary  emergencies. 

"  Harmony, and  a  liberal  intercourse  with  all  nations, 
arc  recommended  by  policy,  humanity  and  interest. 
But  even  our  commercial  policy  should  hold  an  e- 
qual  and  impartial  hand  ;  neither  seeking  nor  grant- 
ing exclusive  favours  or  preferences  ;  consulting  the 
natural  course  of  things  ;  diffusing  and  diversifying, 
by  gentle  means,  the  streams  of  commerce,  but  forc- 
ing nothing  ;  establishing,  with  powers  so  disposed, 
in  order  to  give  trade  a  stable  course,  to  define  the 
rights  of  our  merchants,  and  to  enable  the  govern, 
ment  to  support  them  ;  conventional  rules  of  inter- 
course, the  best  that  present  circumstances  and  mu- 
tual opinion  will  permit,  but  temporary,  and  liable 
to  be  from  time  to  time  abandoned  or  varied,  as  ex- 
perience and  circumstances  shall  dictate";  constant- 
ly keeping  in  view,  that  it  is  folly  in  one  nation  to 
look  for  disinterested  favours  from  another  ;  that  it 
must  pay,  with  a  portion  of  its  independence  for 
whatever  it  may  accept  under  that  character  ;  that 
by*such  acceptance,  it  may  place  itself  in  the  condi- 
tion of  having  given  equivalents  for  nominal  favours, 
and  yet  of  being  reproached  with  ingratitude  for  not 
giving  more.     There  can  be  no  greater  errour  than 


494  LIFI    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-9* 

to  expect,  or  calculate  upon  real  favours  from  nation 
to  nation.  It  is  an  illusion  which  experience  must 
cure,  which  a  just  pride  ought  to  discard. 

**  In  offering  to  you,  my  countrymen,  these  coun- 
sels of  an  old  and  affectionate  friend,  I  dare  not  hope 
they  will  make  the  strong  and  lasting  impression  I 
could  wish  ;  that  they  vvill  control  the  usual  cur- 
rent of  the  passions,  or  prevent  our  nation  from  run- 
ning the  course  which  has  hitherto  marked  the  des- 
tiny of  nations  :  But  if  I  may  even  flatter  myself 
that  they  may  be  productive  of  some  paitial  benefit, 
some  occasional  good  ;  that  they  may  now  and  then 
recur,  to  moderate  the  fury  of  party  spirit,  to  warn 
against  the  mischiefs  of  foreign  intrigue,  to  guard 
against  the  impostures  of  pretended  patriotism  ; 
this  hope  will  be  a  full  recompense  for  the  solicitude 
for  your  welfare,  by  which  they  have  been  dictated. 

*'  How  far,  in  the  discharge  of  my  official  du- 
ties, I  have  been  guided  by  the  principles  which 
have  been  delineated,  the  publick  records  and  other 
evidences  of  my  conduct  must  witness  to  you  and  to 
the  world.  To  myself,  the  assurance  of  my  own 
conscience  is,  that  I  have  at  least  believed  myself  to 
be  guided  by  them. 

"  In  relation  to  the  still  subsisting  v/ar  in  Eu- 
rope, my  Proclamation  of  the  22d  of  April,  1793,  is 
the  index  to  my  plan.  Sanctioned  by  your  approv- 
ing voice,  and  by  that  of  your  Representatives  in  both 
Houses  of  Congress,  the  spirit  of  that  measure  has 
continually  governed  me  ;  uninfluenced  by  any  trt- 
tempts  to  deter  or  divert  me  from  it. 

"  After  deliberate  examination  with  the  aid  of 
tlie  best  lights  I  could  obtain,  I  was  well  satisfied 


1796-9.]  LIFE     OF     WASHINGTON.   .  495 

that  our  country,  under  all  the  circumstances  of  the 
case,  had  a  right  to  take,  and  was  bound  in  duty 
and  interest  to  take  a  neutral  position.  Having  tak- 
en it,  I  determined,  as  far  as  should  depend  upon 
me,  to  maintain  it  with  moderation,  perseverance 
and  firmness. 

"  The  considerations  which  respect  the  right  to 
hold  this  conduct,  it  is  not  necessary,  on  this  occa- 
sion, to  detail.  I  will  only  observe,  that  according 
to  my  understanding  of  the  matter,  that  right,  so  far 
from  being  denied  by  any  of  the  belligerent  powers, 
has  been  virtually  admitted  by  all. 

"  The  duty  of  holding  a  neutral  conduct  may  be 
inferred,  without  any  thing,  more,  from  the  obliga- 
tion which  justice  and  humanity  impose  on  every 
nation,  in  cases  in  which  it  is  free  to  act,  to  main- 
tain inviolate  the  relations  of  peace  and  amity  to- 
wards other  nations. 

"  The  inducements  of  interest  for  observing  that 
conduct  will  best  be  referred  to  your  own  reflections 
and  experience.  With  me,  a  predominant  motive 
has  been  to  endeavour  to  gain  time  to  our  country 
to  settle  and  mature  its  yet  recent  institutions,  and 
to  progress  without  interruption,  to  that  degree  of 
strength  and  consistency,  which  is  necessary  to  give 
it,  humanly  speaking,  the  command  of  its  own  for- 
tunes. 

*'  Though,  in  reviewing  the  incidents  of  my  iid- 
ministration,  I  am  unconscious  of  intentional  errour, 
1  am  nevertheless  too  sensible  of  my  defects  not  to 
think  it  proloable  tliat  I  may  have  committed  many 
•rrours.     Whatever  they  may  be,    I  fervently  be- 


496  LIFB     OF    WASMINGION.  [IT'J^-^* 

»cech  the  Almighty  to  avert  or  mitigate  the  evils  t© 
which  they  may  tend.  I  shall  also  carry  with  me  the 
hope  that  my  country  will  never  cease  to  view  them 
with  indulgence  ;  and  that  after  fortyfive  years  of 
my  life  dedicated  to  its  service,  with  an  u])right 
zeal,  the  faults  of  incompetent  abilities  will  be  con- 
signed to  oblivion,  as  myself  must  soon  be  to  the 
mansions  of  rest. 

*'  Relying  on  its  kindness  in  this  as  in  other 
things,  and  actuated  by  that  fervent  love  towards  it, 
which  is  so  natural  to  a  man,  who  views  in  it  the 
native  soil  of  himself  and  his  progenitors  for  several 
generations ;  I  anticipate  with  pleasing  expectation, 
that  retreat,  in  which  I  promise  myself  to  realize, 
without  alloy,  the  sweet  enjoyment  of  partaking,  in 
the  midst  of  my  fellow  citizens,  the  benign  influ- 
ence of  good  laws  under  a  free  government.... the 
ever  favourite  object  of  my  heart,  and  the  happy 
reward,  as  I  trust,  of  our  mutual  cares,  labours 
and  dangers." 

This  Address  to  the  people  of  the  United  States 
was  received  with  the  highest  veneration  and  grati- 
tude. Several  of  the  State  Legislatures  ordered  it  to 
be  put  upon  their  journals,  and  every  citizen  consid- 
ered it  as  the  legacy  of  the  most  distinguished 
American  Patriot. 

On  the  7th  of  December,  1796,  the  President 
for  the  last  time,  met  the  National  Legislature.  In 
his  Speech,  after  taking  a  view  of  the  situation  of 
the  United  States,  he,  regardless  of  opposition  and 
censure,  recommended  the  attention  of  Congress  to 
those  measures  which  he  deemed  essential  to  na- 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  49*? 

tional  independence,  honour  and  prosperity.     The 
first  among  these  was  the  creation  of  a  Navy. 

"  To  an  active  external  commerce,  the  protec- 
tion of  a  naval  force  is  indispensable.  This  is  man- 
ifest with  regard  to  wars  in  which  a  State  is  itself  a 
party  :  But  besides  this,  it  is  in  our  own  experience, 
that  the-  most  sincere  neutrality  is  not  a  suincient 
guard  against  the  depredations  of  nations  at  war. 
To  secure  respect  to  a  neutral  flag  requires  a  naval 
force,  organized  and  ready  to  vindicate  it  from  insult 
or  aggression.  This  may  even  prevent  the  necessi- 
ty of  going  to  war,  by  discouraging  belligerent  pow- 
ers from  committing  such  vioh\tions  of  the  rights  of 
the  neutral  party,  as  may  first  or  last,  leave  no  other 
option.  From  the  best  information  I  have  been 
able  to  obtain,  it  would  seem  as  if  our  trade  to  the 
Mediterranean,  without  a  protecting  force,  will  al- 
ways be  insecure ;  and  our  citizens  exposed  to  the 
calamities  from  which  numbers  of  them  have  but 
just  been  reheved. 

"  These  considerations  invite  the  United  States 
to  look  to  the  means,  and  to  set  about  the  gradual 
creation  of  a  Navy.  The  increasing  progress  of 
their  navigation,  promises  them,  at  no  distant  peri- 
od, the  requisite  supply  of  seamen  ;  and  their  means, 
in  other  respects,  favour  the  undertaking.  It  is  au 
encouragement,  Iike\vise,  that  their  particular  situa- 
tion will  give  v/eight  and  influence  to  a  moderate 
naval  force  in  their  hands.  Will  it  not  then  be  ad- 
visable to  begin  without  delay  to  provide  and  lay  up 
materials  for  the  building  and  equipping  of  ships  ©f 


498  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-9. 

war  ;  and  to  proceed  in  the  work  by  degrees,  in  pro- 
portion as  our  resources  shall  render  it  practicable 
^vithout  inconvenience ;  so  that  a  future  war  of  Eu- 
rope may  not  find  our  commerce  in  the  same  un- 
protected state  in  which  it  was  found  by  the  present.'* 
He  proceeded  to  recommend  those  establish- 
ments for  the  manufacturing  such  articles  as  are  ne- 
cessary for  the  defence  of  the  country,  an  institution 
for  the  improvement  of  agriculture,  a  Military  Acad- 
emy and  a  National  University.  In  reference  to 
foreign  powers,  he  observed  : 

"  While  in  our  external  relations,  some  serious 
inconveniences  anc4  embarrassments  have  been  over- 
come, and  others  lessened,  it  is  with  much  pain  and 
deep  regret  I  mention  that  circumstances  of  a  very 
unwelcome  nature,  have  lately  occurred.  Our  trade 
has  suffered,  and  is  suffering  extensive  injuries  in 
the  West  Indies  from  the  cruisers  and  agents  of  the 
French  Bepublick  ;  and  communications  have  been 
received  from  its  minister  here,  which  indicate  the 
danger  «f  a  further  disturbance  of  our  commerce  by 
its  authority ;  and  which  are  in  other  respects  far 
from  agreeable. 

"It  has  been  my  constant,  sincere  and  earnest 
wish,  in  conformity  with  that  of  our  nation,  to  main- 
tain cordial  harm-ony,  and  a  perfectly  friendly  un- 
derstanding with  that  Republick.  This  wish  re- 
mains unabated ;  and  I  shall  persevere  in  the  en- 
deavour to  fulfil  it  to  the  utmost  extent  of  what  shall 
be  consistent  vvith  a  just  and  indispensable  regard 
to  the  rights  and  hoi^our  of  our  country  ;  nor  will  I 
easily  cease  to  cherish  the  expectation,  that  a  spirit 


1796-0.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  499 

of  justice,  candour,  and  friendship,  on  the  part  of 
the  Republick,  will  eventually  ensure  success. 

"  In  pursuing  this  course,  however,  1  cannot 
forget  what  is  due  to  the  character  of  our  govern- 
ment and  nation  ;  or  to  a  full  and  entire  confidence 
in  the  good  sense,  patriotism,  self  respect,  and  for- 
titude of  my  countrymen." 

In  the  following  manner,  he  concluded  his 
Address.  .^ 

"  The  situation  in  which  I  now  stand,  for  the 
last  time,  in  the  midst  of  the  representatives^  of  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  naturally  recalls  the 
period  w  hen  the  administration  of  the  present  form 
of  Government  commenced  ;  and  I  cannot  omit  this 
occasion  to  congratulate  you  and  my  country  on  the 
success  of  the  experiment ;  nor  to  repeat  my  fervent 
supplications  to  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  Universe, 
and  Sovereign  Arbiter  of  Nations,  that  his  providen- 
tial care  may  still  be  extended  to  the  United  States  ; 
that  the  virtue  and  happiness  of  the  people  may  be 
preserved,  and  that  the  government,  which  they  have 
instituted  for  the  protection  of  their  liberties,  may 
be  perpetual." 

The  Senate  in  their  reply  approved  the  senti^ 
ments  of  the  address,  and  noticing  the  prosperity  of 
the  United  States,  they  added, 

*'  Whilst  contemplating  the  causes  that  pro- 
duced this  auspicious  result,  v,  e  must  acknowledge 
the  excellence  of  the  constitutional  system,  and  the 
wisdom  of  the  legislative  provisions  ;  but  we  should 
be  deficient  in  gratitude  and  justice,  did  we  not  at- 
tribute  a  great  portion  of  these  advantages  to  the 


SOO  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  L^^^^-*' 

virtue,  firmness,  and  talents  of  your  administration  ; 
which  have  been  conspicuously  displayed,  in  the 
most  trying  times,  and  on  the  most  critical  occa- 
sions ;  it  is  therefore  with  the  sincerest  regret,  that 
we  now  receive  an  ofiicial  notification  of  your  inten- 
tions to  retire  from  the  publick  emplo}ments  of 
3'our  country. 

**  When  we  review  the  various  scenes  of  your 
publick  Ufe,  so  long  and  so  successfully  devoted  to 
the  most  arduous  services,  civil  and  military  ;  as 
well  during  the  struggles  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, as  the  convulsive  periods  of  a  recent  date,  we 
cannot  look  forward  to  your  retirement  without  our 
warmest  affections  and  most  anxious  regards  accom- 
panying you  ;  and  without  mingling  with  our  fellovir 
citizens  at  large,  in  the  sincerest  wishes  for  your 
personal  happiness,  that  sensibility  and  attachment 
can  express. 

"  The  most  effectual  consolation  that  can  of- 
fer for  the  loss  wc  are  about  to  sustain,  arises  from 
the  animating  reflection  that  the  influence  of  your 
example  will  extend  to  j^our  successors,  and  the 
United  States  thus  continue  to  enjoy  an  able,  up- 
right, and  energetlck  Administration." 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  an  aiiswer, 
which  promised  attention  to  the  several  subjects  re- 
commended in  the  Speech,  and  concluded  as  fol- 
lows, was  after  pointed  objection  and  warm  debate, 
voted  by  a  large  majority. 

"  And  while  wc  entertain  a  grateful  conviction 
that  your  wise,  firm,  and  patriotick  administration 
has  been  signally  conducive  to  the  success   of  tho 


1796-9.]        LIFE  or  Washington.  501 

present  form  of  government,  we  cannot  forbear  to 
express  the  deep  sensations  of  regret  with  which 
we  contemplate  your  intended  retirement  from  of- 
fice. 

"  As  no  other  suitable  occasion  may  occur,  wc 
cannot  suffer  the  present  to  pass  without  attempting 
to  disclose  some  of  the  emotions  which  it  cannot 
fail  to  awaken. 

"  The  gratitude  and  admiration  of  your  coun- 
trymen are  still  drawn  to  the  recollection  of  those 
resplendent  virtues  and  talents  which  Vvcre  so  emi- 
nently instrumental  to  the  achievement  of  the  Rev- 
olution, and  of  which  that  glorious  event  will  ever 
be  the  memorial.  Your  obedience  to  the  voice  of 
duty  and  your  country,  when  you  quitted  reluctant- 
ly, a  second  time,  the  retreat  you  had  chosen,  and 
first  accepted  the  Presidency,  afforded  a  new  proof 
of  the  devotedness  of  your  zeal  in  its  service,  and 
an  earnest  of  the  patriotism  and  success  which  have 
characterized  your  Administration.  As  the  grate- 
ful confidence  of  the  citizens  in  the  virtues  of  their 
Chief  Magistrate  has  essentially  contributed  to  that 
success,  we  persuade  ourselves  that  the  millions 
whom  we  represent,  participate  with  us  in  the  anx- 
ious solicitude  of  the  present  occasion. 

"Yet  we  cannot  be  unmindful  that  your  modera- 
tion and  magnanimity,  twice  displayed  by  retiring 
from  your  exalted  stations,  afford  examples  no  less 
rare  and  instructive  to  mankind  than  valuable  to  a 
Republick. 

*'  Although  we  are  sensible  that  this  event,  of  it- 
j^elf,  completes  the  lustre  of  a  character  already  coiu 


502  LIFE  OF   WASHiNcTorr.         [1796-9f, 

spicuously  unrivalled  by  the  coincidence  of  virtue, 
talents,  success  and  publick  estimation  ;  yet  we 
conceive  we  owe  it  to  you,  sir,  and  still  more  em- 
phatically to  ourselves  and  to  our  nation,  (of  the 
language  of  whose  hearts  we  presume  to  think  our- 
selves, at  this  moment,  the  faithful  interpreters)  to 
express  the  sentiments  with  which  it  is  contem- 
plated. 

**  The  spectacle  of  a  free  and  enlightened  nation, 
offering  by  its  Representatives  the  tribute  of  un- 
feigned approbation  to  its  first  citizen,  however 
novel  and  interesting  it  may  be,  derives  all  its  lus- 
tre (a  lustre  which  accident  or  enthusiasm  could 
not  bestow,  and  which  adulation  would  tarnish)  from 
the  transcendent  merit,  of  which  it  is  the  voluntary 
testimony. 

"  May  you  long  enjoy  that  liberty  which  is  so 
dear  to  you,  and  to  which  your  name  will  ever  be  so 
dear.  May  your  own  virtue  and  a  nation's  prayer$ 
obtain  the  happiest  sunshine  for  the  decline  of  your 
days,  and  the  choicest  of  future  blessings.  For  our 
country's  sake,  and  for  the  sake  of  republican  lib- 
erty, it  is  our  earnest  wish  that  your  example  may 
be  the  guide  of  your  successors  ;  and  thus,  after 
being  the  ornament  and  safeguard  of  the  present 
age,  become  the  patrimony  of  our  descendants." 

President  Washington  now  with  supreme  de- 
light anticipated  the  time,  when  he  should  quit  the 
storms  and  agitations  of  publick  life,  for  the  retire- 
ment of  Mount  Vernon  ;  and  on  the  day,  which  ter- 
minated his  Presidential  course,  he  directed  the  fol- 
lowing letter  to  the  Secretary  of  State. 


£1796-9.  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  503 

*'  DEAR  SIR, 

"At  the  conclusion  of  my  publick  employ- 
ments I  have  thought  it  expedient  to  notice  the  pub- 
lication of  certain  forged  letters  which  first  appeared 
in  the  year  1776,  and  were  obtruded  upon  the  pub- 
lick  as  mine.  They  are  said  by  the  editor  to  have 
been  found  in  a  small  portmanteau  that  I  had  left  in 
the  care  of  my  mulatto  servant  named  Billy,  who  it 
is  pretended  was  taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Lee,  in  1776. 
The  period  when  these  letters  were  .first  printed 
will  be  recollected,  and  what  were  the  impressions 
they  were  intended  to  produce  on  the  publick  mind. 
It  was  then  supposed  to  be  of  some  consequence  to 
strike  at  the  integrity  of  the  motives  of  the  Ameri- 
can Commander  in  Chief,  and  to  paint  his  inclina- 
tions as  at  variance  with  his  professions  and  his  duty 
....another  crisis  in  the  affairs  of  America  having  oc- 
curred, the  same  weapon  has  been  resorted  to,  to 
wound  m.y  character  and  deceive  the  people. 

"  The  letters  in  question  have  the  dates,  addres- 
ses, and  signatures  here  following." 

"  J^EW  York,  June  12,  1776. 

"  To  Mr.  Lund  Washington,  at  Mount  Ver- 
notiy  Fairfax  County^  Virginia,  G.  W. 

"  June  18,  1776. 

"Tb  John  Park  Custis,  Esq.  at  the  Hon. 
Benedict  Calvert's,  Esq.  Mount  Jiry,  Mary- 
laud.  G.  W. 

<'  X£iy  York,  July  8,  1776. 

"  To  Mr.  Lund  Washington,  Mount  Ver^ 
non^  Fairfax  County^  Virginia.  G.  W. 

^<- Xf.it   Y OS k,  July  16,  1776. 

"  To  A/r.  Lund  AV'ashington.  G.  W. 


504  hirZ    OF    WASHINGTON.  [ITPG-f*. 

«  A^'ejv  York,  July  15,  1776. 

*'  To  Mr.  Lund  Washington.  G.  W. 

"  A''kiv  York,  July  22,  1776. 

"  To  Mr,  Lund  Washington.  G.  W. 

<-^Ju7ie  24,  1776. 

*'  To  Mrs.  Washington. 

"At  the  time  when  these  letters  first  appeared, 
it  was  notorious  to  the  army  immediately  under  my 
command,  and  paiticularly  to  the  gentlemen  attach-* 
ed  to  my  person,  tliat  my  mulatto  man  Billy  had 
never  been  one  moment  in  the  power  of  the  enemy. 
It  is  also  a  fact  that  no  part  of  my  baggage,  or  any 
of  my  attendants,  were  captured  durfng  the  whole 
course  of  the  war.  These  well  known  facts  made  it 
unnecessary,  during  the  war,  to  call  the  publick  at- 
tention to  the  forgery,  by  any  express  declaration  of 
mine  ;  and  a  firm  reliance  on  my  fellow  citizens, 
and  the  abundant  proofs  they  gave  of  their  confi- 
dence in  me,  rendered  it  alike  unnecessary  to  take 
any  formal  notice  of  the  revival  of  the  imposition, 
during  my  civil  administration.  But  as  I  cannot 
know  how  soon  a  more  serious  event  may  succeed  to 
that  which  will  this  day  take  place,  I  have  thought 
it  a  duty  that  I  owed  to  myself,  to  my  country  and 
to  truth,  now  to  detail  the  circumstances  above,  re- 
cited, and  to  add  my  solemn  declaration  that  the  let- 
ters herein  described,  are  a  base  forgery,  and  that  I 
never  saw  or  heard  of  them  until  they  appeared  in 
print.  The  present  letter  I  commit  to  your  care, 
and  desire  it  may  be  deposited  in  the  office  of  the 
Department  of  State  as  a  testimony  of  the  truth  to 
the  present  generation  and  to  posterity." 


i't96-9.'\  LIFE    OF    \VASHlNG•I'0^f.  SQS 

On  the  fourth  of  March  1797,  he  attended  the 
Inauguration  of  his  successor  in  office.  Great  sen- 
sibility was  manifested  by  the  members  of  the  Legis- 
lature and  other  distinguished  characters,  when  he 
entered  the  Senate  chamber  ;  and  much  admiration 
expressed,  at  the  complacence  and  dehght,  he  man- 
ifested at  seeing  another  clothed  with  the  authority, 
with  which  he  had  himself  been  invested. 

Having  paid  his  affectionate  compliments  to  Mr. 
Adams  as  President  of  the  United  States,  he  bid  a- 
dieu  to  the  seat  of  government,  and  hastened  to  the 
delights  of  domestick  life.  He  intended,  that  his 
journey  should  have  been  private,  but  the  attempt 
was  vain  ;  the  same  affectionate  and  respectful  atten- 
tions were  on  this  occasion  paid  him,  which  he  had 
received  during  his  Presidency, 

At  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  for- 
eign powers  refused  all  negotiation  with  Congress^ 
publiek  credit  was  lost,  nor  was  any  function  of  a 
living  government  performed.  Under  his  own  aus- 
pices, General  Washington  saw  a  National  Gov- 
ernment firmly  established,  and  the  country  rise  to 
a  state  of  strength  and  respectability  ;  controversies 
with  foreign  nations,  which  had  long  existed,  and 
which  involved  the  best  interests  of  the  United 
States  settled  ;  the  resources  of  the  country  explor- 
ed and  brought  into  action;  the  debts  of  the  war 
funded,  and  credit  restored,  through  all  the  ramifica- 
tions of  publiek  and  private  concerns  ;  the  agricul- 
ture and  commerce  of  his  country  flourishing^  be- 
yond example,  and  its  capital  doubled. 

R   R  R 


506  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-9^. 

One  cloud  only  at  this  time  obscured  the  politic- 
al horizon  of  the  United  States.  France  had  assum- 
ed a  threatening  attitude  ;  but  for  the  peace  and 
safety  of  the  country,  the  General  confided  in  the 
patriotism  of  his  fellow  citizens,  under  the  provi- 
dence of  Heaven. 

In  the  rejection  of  the  American  Envoys  by  the 
Court  of  France,  in  their  menaces  to  the  United 
States,  and  in  the  measures  adopted  under  the  ad- 
ministration of  Mr.  Adams,  his  feelings  v^'ere  deep- 
ly interested.  When  the  indignities  of  the  Direc- 
tory exceeded  endurance,  and  the  spirit  of  the  A- 
merican  nation  was  roused  to  resistance,  every  eye 
was  directed  to  him  as  the  Military  leader.  He 
might  without  jealousy  be  placed  at  the  head  of  a 
powerful  army,  and  could  bring  into  the  field  all  the 
military  strength  and  talents  of  the  country. 

Colonel  Hamilton  in  May  1798,  intimated  to 
him  this  universal  expectation  ;  to  whom  General 
Washington  thus  replied. 

"  You  may  be  assured  that  my  mind  is  deeply 
impressed  with  the  present  situation  of  publick  af- 
fairs, and  not  a  little  agitated  by  the  outrageous  con- 
duct of  France  towards  the  United  States,  and  at 
the  inimical  conduct  of  those  partisans  who  aid 
and  abet  her  measures.  You  may  believe  further,, 
from  assurances  equally  sincere,  that  if  there  was 
any  thing  in  my  power  to  be  done  consistently,  to 
avert  or  lessen  the  danger  of  the  crisis,  it  should  be 
rendered  with  hand  and  heart. 

*'  Rut,  my  dear  Sir,  dark   as  matters  appear  at 
present,  and  expedient  as  it  is  to  be  prepared  for  the 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  507 

worst  that  can  happen  (and  no  man  is  more  dispos- 
ed to  this  measure  than  I  am)  I  cannot  make  up  my 
mind  yet,  for  the  expectation  of  open  war  ;  or  in 
other  words,  for  a  formidable  invasion  by  France. 
I  cannot  believe,  although  I  tliink  her  capable  of  any 
thing,  that  she  will  attempt  to  do  more  than  she  has 
done.  When  she  perceives  the  spirit  and  policy  of 
this  country  rising  into  resistance,  and  that  she  has 
falsely  calculated  upon  support  from  a  large  part  of 
the  people  to  promote  her  views  and  influence  in  it, 
she  will  desist  even  from  these  practices,  unless  un- 
expected events  in  Europe,  or  the  acquisition  of 
Louisiana  and  the  Floridas  should  induce  her  to 
continue  them.  x\nd  I  believe  further,  that  al- 
though  the  leaders  of  their  party  in  this  country  will 
not  change  their  sentiments,  they  will  be  obliged  to 
change  their  plan,  or  the  mode  of  carrying  it  on. 
The  effervescence  which  is  appearing  in  all  quarters 
and  the  desertion  of  their  followers,  will  frown  them 
into  silence,  at  least  for  a  while. 

"  If  I  did  not  view  things  in  this  light,  my  mind 
would  be  infinitely  more  disquieted  than  it  is  :  For, 
if  a  crisis  should  arrive  when  a  sense  of  duty,  or  a 
call  from  my  country  should  become  so  imperious 
as  to  leave  me  no  choice,  I  should  prepare  for  re- 
linquishment, and  go  with  as  much  reluctance  from 
my  present  peaceful  abode,  as  I  should  go  to  the 
tombs  of  my  ancestors." 

In  June,  President  Adams  wrote  General  Wash- 
ington a  letter  in  which  he  thus  alluded  to  his  a- 
gain  appearing  in  a  pubUck  character. 

"  In  forming  an  army,  whenever  I  must  come 
to  that  extremity,  I  am  at  an  immense  loss  whether 


508  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-S|y 

to  call  out  all  the  old  Generals,  or  to  appoint  a  young 
set.  If  the  French  come  here,  we  must  learn  to 
march  with  a  quick  step,  and  to  attack,  for  in  that 
■way  only  they  are  said  to  be  vulnerable.  1  must 
tax  you,  sometimes,  for  advice.  We  must  have 
your  name,  if  you  will,  in  any  case,  permit  us  to  use 
it.  There  will  be  more  efficacy  in  it  than  in  many 
an  army." 

Four  days  after  the  Secretary  of  War  addressed 
him  in  the  following  manner  on  the  same  subject. 

*'  May  we  flatter  ourselves  that,  in  a  crisis  so  aw- 
ful and  important,  you  will  accept  the  command  of 
all  our  armies  ?  I  hope  you  w'ill,  because  you  alone 
can  unite  all  hearts  and  all  hands,  if  it  is  possible 
that  they  can  be  united.'* 

To  the  President  he  thus  replied. 

"At  the  epoch  of  my  retirement,  an  invasion 
of  these  states  by  any  European  power,  or  even  the 
probability  pf  such  an  event  in  my  days,  was  so  far 
from  being  contemplated  by  me,  that  I  had  no  con- 
ception either  that  or  any  other  occurrence  would 
arise,  in  so  short  a  period,  which  could  turn  my  eyes 
from  the  shades  of  Mount  Vernon.  But  this  seems 
to  be  the  age  of  wonders.  And  it  is  reserved  for  in- 
toxicated and  lawless  France  (for  purposes  of  provi- 
dence far  beyond  the  reach  of  human  ken;  to  slaught- 
er her  own  citizens,  and  to  disturb  the  repose  of  all 
the  world  besides.  From  a  view  of  the  past,  from 
the  prospect  of  the  present,  and  of  that  which  seems 
to  be  expected,  it  is  not  easy  for  me  to  decide  satis- 
factorily on  the»  part  it  might  best  become  me  to  act. 
In  case  of  actual  invasion  by  a  formidable  force,  I 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  509 

certainly  should  not  entrench  myself  under  the  cov- 
er of  age  and  retirement,  if  my  services  should  be 
required  by  my  country  to  assist  in  repelling  it. 
And  if  there  be  good  cause  to  expect  such  an  event, 
."which  certainly  must  be  better  known  to  the  gov- 
ernment than  to  private  citizens,  delay  in  preparing 
for  it  may  be  dangerous,  improper,  and  not  to  be 
justified  by  prudence.  The  uncertainty  however 
of  the  latter,  in  my  mind,  creates  my  embarrass- 
ment ;  for  I  cannot  bring  it  to  believe,  regardless  as 
the  French  are  of  treaties,  and  of  the  laws  of  nations, 
and  capable  as  I  conceive  them  to  be  of  any  species 
of  despotism  and  injustice,  that  they  will  attempt 
to  invade  this  coiuitry  after  sucli  an  uniform  and  une- 
quivocal expression  of  the  determination  of  the  peo- 
ple in  all  parts  to  oppose  them  with  their  lives  and 
fortunes.  That  they  have  been  led  to  believe  by 
their  agents  and  partizans  among  us  that  we  are  a 
divided  people,  that  the  latter  are  opposed  to  their 
own  government,  and  that  the  show  of  a  small  force 
would  occasion  a  revolt,  1  have  no  doubt ;  and  how 
far  these  men  (grown  desperate)  will  further  attempt 
to  deceive,  and  may  succeed  in  keeping  up  the  de- 
ception is  problematical.  Without  that,  the  folly  of 
the  Directory  in  such  an  attempt  would,  I  conceive, 
be  more  conspicuous,  if  possible,  than  their  wicked- 
ness. 

"  Having  with  candour  made  this  disclosure  of 
the  state  of  my  mind,  it  remains  only  for  me  to  add, 
that  to  those  who  know  me  best,  it  is  best  known, 
that  should  imperious  circumstances  induce  me  to 
.exchange  once  more  the  smooth  paths  of  retirement 


510  LIFE    OF      WASHINGTON.  [1796-9. 

for  the  thorny  ways  of  piiblick  life,  at  a  period  loo 
when  repose  is  more  congenial  to  nature,  that  it 
would  be  productive  of  sensations  which  can  be 
more  easily  conceived  than  expressed." 

To  the  question  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  this 
was  his  answer. 

*'  It  cannot  be  necessary  for  me  to  premise  to 
you  or  to  others  who  know  my  sentiments,  that  to 
quit  the  tranquillity  of  retirement,  and  enter  the 
boundless  field  of  responsibility,  would  be  produc- 
tive of  sensations  v*'hich  a  better  pen  than  I  possess 
would  find  it  difficult  to  describe.  Nevertheless, 
the  principle  by  which  my  conduct  has  been  actuat- 
ed through  life,  would  not  suffer  me,  in  any  great 
emergency,  to  withhold  any  services  I  could  render 
when  required  by  my  country  ;  especially  in  a  case 
where  its  dearest  rights  are  assailed  by  lawless  am- 
bition and  intoxicated  power,  in  contempt  of  every 
principle  of  justice,  and  in  violation  of  solemn  com- 
pacts, and  of  laws  which  govern  all  civilized  na- 
tions ;  and  this  too  with  the  obvious  intent  to  sow 
thick  the  seeds  of  disunion,  for  the  purpose  of  sub- 
jugating our  government,  and  destroying  our  inde- 
pendence and  happiness. 

*'  Under  circumstances  like  these,  accompanied 
by  an  actual  invasion  of  our  territory,  it  would  be 
difficult  for  me  at  any  time  to  remain  an  idle  specta- 
tor under  the  plea  of  age  or  retirement.  With  sor- 
row, it  is  true,  I  should  quit  the  shades  of  my 
peaceful  abode,  and  the  ease  and  happiness  I  now 
enjoy,  to  encounter  anew  the  turmoils  of  war,  to 
which,   possibly,  my   strength  and  powers  might 


1796-9.]  LIFE  or  Washington.  511 

be  found  incompetent.  These,  however,  should 
not  be  stumbling  blocks  in  my  own  way.  But 
there  are  other  things  highly  important  for  me  to  as- 
certain and  settle,  before  I  could  give  a  defini- 
tive answer  to  your  question. 

*'  First,  the  propriety  in  the  opinion  of  the  pub- 
lick,  so  far  as  that  opinion  has  been  expressed  in 
conversation,  of  my  appearing  again  on  the  publick 
theatre,  after  declaring  the  sentiments  I  did  in  my 
valedictory  address  of  September,  1796. 

*'  2dly.  A  conviction  in  my  own  breast,  from 
tlie  best  information  that  can  be  obtained,  that  it  is 
the  wish  of  my  country  that  its  military  force  should 
be  committed  to  my  charge  ;  and 

3dly.  That  the  army  now  to  be  formed  should 
be  so  appointed  as  to  afford  a  well  grounded  hope  of 
its  doing  honour  to  the  country,  and  credit  to  him 
who  commands  it  in  the  field." 

Before  these  letters  had  reached  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment, the  President  had  nominated  to  the  Sen- 
ate, "General  Washington  to  be  Lieutenant 
General  and  Commander  in  Chief -of  the  Armies 
raised  and  to  be  raised."  The  Secretary  of  War 
waited  upon  him  with  his  commission,  and  with 
the  following  letter  from  the  President. 

*'  Mr.  M'Henry,  the  Secretary  of  War,  will  have 
the  honour  to  wait  on  you  in  my  behalf,  to  impart 
to  you  a  step  I  have  ventured  to  take,  which  I  should 
have  been  happy  to  have  communicated  in  person, 
had  such  a  journey  at  this  time  been  in  my  power. 
"  My  reasons  for  this  measure  will  be  too  well 
known  to   need  any  explanation   to  the  publick. 


512  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.'  [1796-Cf. 

Every  friend  and  every  enemy  of  America  will  com- 
prehend them  at  first  blush.  To  you,  sir,  I  owe  all 
the  apology  I  can  make.  The  urgent  necessity  I  am 
in  of  your  advice  and  assistance,  indeed  of  your 
conduct  and  direction  of  the  war,  ^is  all  I  can  urge  ; 
and  that  is  a  sufficient  justification  to  myself  and  to 
the.  world.  I  hope  it  will  be  so  considered  by  your- 
self. Mr.  M'Henry  will  have  the  honour  to  consult 
you  upon  the  organization  of  tlie  army,  and  upon 
everv  thino;  relating  to  it." 

With  the  order  towait  on  General  Washington. 
the  Secretary  of  War  received  from  President  Adams 
the  following  instructions. 

"  It  is  my  desire  that  you  embrace  the  first  op- 
portunity to  set  out  on  your  journey  to  Mount  Ver- 
non, and  wait  on  General  Washington  with  the 
commission  of  Lieutenant  General  and  Commander 
in  Chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  which^- 
by  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  has  beert 
signed  by  me. 

"  The  reasons  and  motives  which  prevailed  on 
me  to  venture  on  such  a  step  as  the  nomination  of 
this  great  and  illustrious  character,  whose  volunta- 
ry resignation  alone  occasioned  my  introduction  to 
the  office  I  now  hold,  were  too  numerous  to  be  de- 
tailed in  this  letter,  and  are  too  obvious  and  impor- 
tant to  escape  the  observation  of  any  part  of  Amer- 
ica or  Europe.     But  as  it  is  a  movement  of  great 
delicacy,  it  will  require  all  your  address  to  commu- 
nicate the  subject  in  a  manner  that  shall  be  inoffen- 
sive to  his  feelings,  and  consistent  with  all  the  res^ 
pcct  that  is  due  from  mc  to  him. 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  513 

"If  the  General  should  decline  the  apponitment,all 
the  world  will  be  silent,  and  respectfully  acquiesce. 
If  he  should  accept  it,  all  the  world,  except  the  ene- 
mies of  this  country,  will  rejoice.  If  he  should 
come  to  no  decisive  determination,  but  take  the 
subject  into  consideration,  I  shall  not  appoint  any 
other  Lieutenant  General  until  his  conclusion  is 
known.'* 

The  General  opened  himself  explicitly  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  and  by  him  returned  the  fol- 
lowing answer  to  the  President's  communication. 

**  I  had  the  honour,  on  the  evening  of  the  11th 
instant,  to  receive  from  the  hands  of  the  Secretary  of 
War  your  favour  of  the  7th,  announcing  that  you 
had,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate, 
appointed  me  Lieutenant  General  and  Commander 
in  Chief  of  the  Armies  raised,  or  to  be  raised  for 
the  service  of  the  United  States. 

*'  I  cannot  express  how  greatly  affected  I  am 
at  this  new  proof  of  publick  confidence,  and  at  the 
highly  flattering  manner  in  which  you  have  been 
pleased  to  make  the  communication.  At  the  same 
time,  I  must  not  conceal  from  you  my  earnest 
wish  that  the  choice  had  fallen  upon  a  man  less 
declined  in  years,  and  better  qualified  to  encounter 
the  usual  vicissitudes  of  war. 

*'  You  know,  sir,  what  calculations  I  had  made 
relative  to  the  probable  course  of  events  on  my 
retiring  from  office,  and  the  determination,  with 
which  I  had  consoled  myself,  of  closing  the  rem- 
nant of  my  days  in  my  present  peaceful  abode, 
s  s  s 


514  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON,  [179G-9, 

You  will  therefore  be  at  no  loss  to  conceive  and 
appreciate  the  sensations  I  must  have  experienced,  to 
bring  my  mind  to  any  conclusion  that  would  pledge  me 
at  so  late  a  period  of  life,  to  leave  scenes  1  sincerely 
love,  to  enter  upon  the  boundless  field,  of  publick 
action,  incessant  trouble,  and  high  responsibility. 

"  It  was  not  possible  for  me  to  remain  ignorant  of> 
or  indiflferent  to  recent  transactions.  The  conduct  of 
the  Directory  of  France  towards  our  country  ;  their 
insidious  hostility  to  its  government ;  their  various 
practices  to  withdraw  the  affections  of  the  people 
from  it ;  the  evident  tendency  of  their  arts,  and  those 
of  their  agents,  to  countenance  and  invigorate  op- 
position ;  their  disregard  of  solemn  treaties  and  the 
laws  of  nations  ;  their  war  upon  our  defenceless  com- 
merce ;  their  treatment  of  our  Ministers  of  peace  ; 
and  their  demands,  amounting  to  tribute,  could  not 
fail  to  excite  in  me,  sentiments  corresponding  with 
those  my  countrymen  have  so  generally  expressed 
in  their  affectionate  addresses  to  you. 

"  Believe  me,  sir,  no  man  can  more  cordially 
approve  the  wise  and  prudent  measures  of  your  Ad- 
ministration. They  ought  to  inspire  universal  con- 
fidence, and  will,  no  doubt,  combined  with  the  state 
of  things,  call  from  Congress  such  laws  and  means 
as  will  enable  you  to  meet  the  full  force  and  extent 
of  the  crisis. 

*'  Satisfied,  therefore,  that  you  have  sincerely 
wished  and  endeavoured  to  avert  \\  ar,  and  ex- 
hausted to  the  last  drop  the  cup  of  reconciliation, 
we  can,  with  pure  hearts,  appeal  to  heaven  for  the 
justice  of  our  cause,  and  may    confidently  trust 


1796-9.]  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.^'  5l5 

the  final  result,  to  that  kind  Providence  who  has 
heretofore,  and  so  often,  signally  favoured  the  people 
of  the  United  States. 

"  Thinking  in  this  manner,  and  feeling  how  in- 
cumbent it  is  upon  every  person  of  every  descrip- 
tion to  contribute,  at  all  times,  to  his  country's 
welfare,  and  especially  in  a  moment  like  the 
present,  when  every  thing  we  hold  dear  and  sac- 
red is  so  seriously  threatened,  I  have  finally  deter- 
mined to  accept  the  commission  of  Commander  in 
Chief  of  the  Armies  of  the  United  States,  vv  ith  the 
reserve  only,  that  I  shall  not  be  called  into  the  field 
until  the  army  is  in  a  situation  to  require  my  pres- 
ence, or  it  becomes  indispensable  by  the  urgency  of 
circumstances. 

*'  In  making  this  reservati(bn,  I  beg  it  to  be  un- 
derstood that  I  do  not  mean  to  withhold  any  assist- 
ance to  arrange  and  organize  the  army,  which  yoa 
may  think  I  can  afford.  I  take  the  liberty  also  to  men- : 
tion  that  I  must  decline  having  my  acceptance  consid- 
ered as  drawingafter  it  any  irnmediate  charge  upon  the 
publick,  or  that  I  can  receive  any  emoluments  annex- 
ed to  the  appointment  before  I  am  in  a  situation  to 
incur  expense." 

From  this  period  the  domestick  employments  of 
General  Washington  were  blended  with  the  con- 
cerns of  his  publick  commission  ;  but  he  did  not  ap- 
prehend that  France  v/ould  push  her  aggressions  to 
actual  war.  He  conceived  that  the  object  of  the 
Directory  was  to  subject  the  Government  of  tlie  U- 
nited  States  to  their  measures,  either  through  fear 
of  war,  or  by  the  controling  influence  of  the  people. 


516  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-9. 

It  was  the  settled  opinion  of  the  General,  that  the 
great  body  of  the  American  people  were  actuated 
by  the  love  of  country,  and  only  needed  information 
respecting  the  measures  of  government,  to  induce 
them  to  support  it.  In  the  patriotick  spirit,  excited 
in  1798,  he  contemplated  a  resource,  which  might 
at  all  times  be  relied  upon  to  repel  foreign  aggres- 
sions, and  on  this  occasion  he  confidently  expected, 
that  France  would  recede  from  her  insolent  pre- 
tensions. 

But  he  did  not  live  to  see  the  fulfilment  of  his 
predictions.  On  Friday,  December  13,  1799,  while 
superintending  some  improvements  on  his  estate,  he 
was  out  in  a  light  rain,  which  wet  his  neck  and 
hair.  The  occurrence  commanded  no  immediate 
attention,  but  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  night  he 
was  seized  with  an  inflammation  of  the  wind  pipe. 
The  complaint  was  accompanied  with  diflSculty  in 
swallowing;  and  with  a  quick  and  laborious  respi- 
ration. 

Conceiving  that  bleeding  would  be  salutary,  a 
vein  was  opened  by  one  accustomed  to  the  use  of 
the  lancet,  and  fourteen  ounces  of  blood  taken  from 
him ;  but  he  could  not  be  persuaded  to  send  for 
his  Physician  until  the  morning.  About  11  o'clock 
on  Saturday,  Dr.  Craik  arrived,  and  perceiving  his 
extreme  danger,  desired  the  advice  of  two  consult- 
ing Physicians  ;  but  their  aid,  in  this  case,  was  un- 
availing. Speaking  soon  became  painful,  and  respi- 
ration contracted  and  imperfect,  and  at  haif  past  eiev. 
en  on  Saturday  night,  December  14,  in  the  full 
possession  of  reason,  he  expired. 


[1796-9.  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  517 

From  the  moment  of  attack,  he  believed  the  dis- 
ease would  prove  mortal,  and  submitted  to  medical 
aid  rather  to  gratify  the  wishes  of  his  anxious  friends, 
than  from  any  expectation  of  relief.  Some  hours 
before  death,  with  extreme  difficulty,  he  intelligibly 
expressed  a  desire,  that  he  might  be  permitted  to 
die  without  further  disturbance.  When  he  could 
no  longer  swaliov/,  he  undressed  himself  and  got 
into  bed,  there  to  await  his  dissolution.  Dr.  Craik 
took  the  head  of  his  beloved  and  respected  friend  in 
his  lap,  to  vt^hom  the  General  said,  "  Doctor,  I  am 
dying,  and  have  been  dying  for  a  long  time,  but  I 
am  not  afraid  to  die."  With  fortitude  he  bore  the 
painful  conflict,  and  with  perfect  serenity  resigned 
himself  to  his  God. 

His  interment  on  Vv'ednesday,  the  18th  of  De- 
cember, was  attended  by  religious  services,  and  mili- 
tary honours  ;  and  a  great  concourse  of  people  fol- 
lowed his  hearse,  as  undissembled  mourners. 

The  report  of  the  death  of  General  WAspiiNCTOif 
reached  the  seat  of  Government  before  the  informa- 
tion of  his  sickness.  It  excited  the  highest  sensibil- 
ity in  the  members  of  Congress,  and  overwhelmed 
them  v/ith  affliction.  A  solemn  silence  prevailed  iu 
the  House  of  Representatives  for  several  minutes.  At 
length,  Mr.Marshall,  the  present  Chief  Justice  of  the 
United  States,  mentioned  the  melancholy  information. 
"  This  information  is  not  certain,"  he  observed,  "  but 
there  is  too  much  reason  to  believe  it  true.  After 
receiving  intelligence,"  he  added,  *' of  a  national 
calamity  so  heavy  and  afflicting,  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives can  be  but  ill  fitted  for  publick  business." 
In  consequence,  both  Houses  adjourned. 


5l8  tIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-9. 

On  opening  the  House  the  next  morning,  Mr. 
Marshall  addressed  the  Chair  in  the  following 
manner. 

*'  The  melancholy  event  which  was  yesterday 
announced  with  doubt,  has  been  rendered  but  too 
certain.  Our  Washington  is  no  more!  The 
Hero,  the  Patriot,  and  the  Sage  of  America... .the 
man  on  whom,  in  times  of  danger,  every  eye  was 
turned,  and  all  hopes  were  placed,  lives  now  only  in 
his  own  great  actions,  and  in  the  hearts  of  an  aflfec- 
tionate  and  afflicted  people. 

"If,  sir,  it  had  even  not  been  usual  openly  to 
testify  respect  for  the  memory  of  those,  whom  Heav- 
en has  selected  as  its  instruments  for  dispensing 
good  to  man,  yet,  such  has  been  the  uncommon 
worth,  and  such  the  extraordinary  incidents  which 
have  marked  the  life  of  him  whose  loss  we  all  deplore, 
that  the  whole  American  nation,  impelled  by  the 
same  feelings,  would  call,  with  one  voice,  for  a 
publick  manifestation  of  that  sorrow  which  is  so  deep 
and  so  universal. 

'*  More  than  any  other  individual,  and  as  much  as 
to  one  individual  was  possible,  has  he  contributed  to 
found  this  our  wide  spreading  empire,  and  to  give 
to  the  Western  W^orld,  independence  and  freedom, 

"  Having  effected  the  great  object  for  which  he 
was  placed  at  the  head  of  our  armies,  we  have  seen 
him  convert  the  sword  into  the  ploughshare,  and 
sink  the  soldier  into  the  citizen. 

"  When  the  debility  of  our  Federal  System  had 
become  manifest,  and  the  bonds  which  connected 
this  vast  Continent  were  dissolving,  \\c  have  seen 


1796-9.']  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  519 

him,  the  Chief  of  those  Patriots  who  formed  for  us 
a  Constitution,  Vvhich,  by  preserving  the  Union, 
will,  I  trust,  substantiate  v.nd  perpetuate  those  bles- 
sings which  our  Revolution  h:id  promised  to  be- 
stow. 

?'  In  obedience  to  the  general  voice  of  his  coun- 
try, calling  iiim  to  preside  over  a  great  people, we  have 
seen  him  once  more  quit  the  retirement  he  lo\  ed, 
and  in  a  season  more  stormy  and  tempestuous  than 
war  itself,  with  calm  and  wise  determination,  pur- 
sue the  true  interests  of  the  nation,  and  contribute, 
more  than  any  other  could  contribute,  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  that  system  of  policy,  which  will,  I  trust, 
yet  preserve  our  peace,  our  honour  and  indepen- 
dence. 

"  Having  twice  been  unanimously  chosen  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  a  free  people,  wc  have  seen  him, 
at  a  time  when  his  reelection  with  universal  suffrage 
could  not  be  doubted,  afford  to  the  world  a  rare  in- 
stance of  mcderatlcn,  by  withdrav,  ing  from  his  high 
station  to  the  peaceful  walks  of  private  life. 

"  However  the  publick  confidence  may  change, 
and  the  pubJick  affections  fluctuate  with  respect. to 
others,  with  respect  to  him,  they  have,  in  war  and  in 
peace,  in  publick  and  in  priyate  life,  been  as  steady 
as  his  own  firm  mind,  and  as  constant  as  his  own  ex- 
alted virtues. 

'•^  Let  us  then,  INfr.  Speaker,  pay  the  last  tribute 
of  rer,pect  and  afFoction  to  our  departed  friend.  Let 
the  Grand  Council  of  the  nation  display  those  senti- 
ments which  the  nation  feels.      For  this  purpose  I 


520  LIFE    OF     WASHINGTON.  [1796-9, 

hold  ill  my  hand  some  resolutions  which  I  take  the 
liberty  of  offering  to  the  House.'* 

The  resolutions,  after  stating  the  death  of  Gen- 
eral Washington",  were  as  folio  us. 

"  Resolved,  That  this  House  will  wait  on  the 
President  in  condolence  of  this  mournful  event. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Speaker's  chair  be  shroud* 
ed  with  black,  and  that  the  members  and  officers  of 
the  House  wear  black  durinsr  the  session. 

o 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  in  conjunction 
with  one  from  the  Senate,  be  appointed  to  consider 
on  the  most  suitable  manner  of  paying  honour  to  the 
memory  of  the  man,  first  in  war,  first  in  peace,  and 
first  in  the  hearts  of  his  fellow  citizens." 

These  resolutions  had  no  sooner  passed,  than  a 
written  message  was  received  from  the  President, 
transmitting  a  letter  from  Mr.  Lear,  "  which,"  said 
the  message,  "  will  inform  you  that  it  had  pleased 
Divine  Providence  to  remove  from  this  life  our 
excellent  fellow  citizen,  George  Washington, 
by  the  purity  of  his  life,  and  a  long  series  of  services 
to  his  country,  rendered  illustrious  through  the 
world.  It  remains  for  an  affectionate  and  grateful 
people,  in  whose  hearts  he  can  never  dicj  to  pay 
suitable  honour  to  his  memory." 

On  this  mournful  event,  the  Senate  addressed 
to  the  President  the  following  letter. 

*'  The  Senate  of  the  United  States  respectfully 
take  leave,  sir,  to  express  to  you  their  deep  regret 
for  the  loss  their  country  sustains  in  the  death  of 
General  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


1796-5.^  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON'.  52l 

*'  This  event  so  distressing  to  all  our  fellow  citi- 
zens, must  be  peculiarly  heavy  to  you,  who  have 
long  been  associated  with  him  in  deeds  of  patriotism. 
Permit  us,  sir,  to  mingle  our  tears  with  yours.  On 
this  occasion  it  is  manly  to  weep.  To  lose  such  a 
man,  at  such  a  crisis,  is  no  common  calamity  to 
the  world.  Our  country  mourns  a  Father.  The 
Almighty  Disposer  of  human  events  has  taken  from 
us  our  greatest  benefactor  and  ornament.  It  becomes 
us  to  submit  with  reverence  to  HIM  who  ''maketh 
darkness  his  pavilion." 

*'  With  patriotick  pride  we  review  the  life  of 
our  WASHINGTON,  and  compare  him  with 
those  of  other  countries  who  have  been  preeminent 
in  fame.  Ancient  and  modern  names  are  dimin- 
ished before  him.  Greatness  and  guilt  have  too  of- 
ten been  allied ;  but  his  fame  is  whiter  than  it  is 
brilliant.  The  destroyers  of  nations  stood  abashed 
at  the  majesty  of  his  virtues.  It  reproved  the  in- 
temperance of  their  ambition,  and  darkened  the 
splendour  of  victory.  The  scene  is  closed,  and  we 
are  no  longer  anxious  lest  misfortune  should  sully 
his  glory  ;  he  has  travelled  on  to  the  end  of  his  jour- 
ney, and  carried  with  him  an  increasing  weight  of 
honour ;  he  has  deposited  it  safely  where  misfor- 
tune cannot  tarnish  it ;  where  malice  cannot  blast 
it.  Favoured  of  heaven,  he  departed  without  ex- 
hibiting the  weakness  of  humanity  ;  magnanimous 
in  death,  the  darkness  of  the  grave  could  not  obscure 
his  brightness. 

"  Such  was  the  man  whom  we  deplore.  Thanks 
to  God,  his  glory  is  consummated.    Washingt©n 

T  T   T 


S22  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTOjrr  [1796-9* 

yet  lives  on  Earth  in  his  spotless  example.... His 
spirit  is  in  Heaven. 

'*  Let  his  countrymen  consecrate  the  memory  of 
the  heroick  General,  the  patriotick  Statesman,  and 
the  virtuous  Sage.  Let  them  teach  their  children 
never  to  forget  that  the  fruits  of  his  labours  and  his 
example  are  their  inheritance,^^ 

To  which  the  President  made  the  following 
answer. 

*'  I  receive,  with  the  most  respectful  and  affec- 
tionate sentiments,  in  this  impressive  address,  the 
obliging  expressions  of  your  regret  for  the  loss  our 
country  has  sustained,  in  the  death  of  her  most  es- 
teemed, beloved  and  admired  citizen. 

*'In  the  multitude  of  my  thoughts  and  recollec- 
tions on  this  melancholy  event,  you  will  permit  mc 
to  say,  that  I  have  seen  him  in  the  days  of  adversity, 
in  some  of  the  scenes  of  his  deepest  distress,  and 
most  trying  perplexities.  I  have  also  attended  hirai 
in  his  highest  elevation,  and  most  prosperous  felicity, 
with  uniform  admiration  of  his  wisdom,  moderation 
and  constancy. 

*'  Among  all  our  original  associates  in  that 
memorable  league  of  this  Continent  in  1774,  which 
first  expressed  the  sovereign  will  of  a  free  nation  in 
America,  he  was  the  only  one  remaining  in  the  gen- 
eral government.  Although  with  a  constitution 
more  enfeebled  than  his,  at  an  age  when  he  thought 
it  necessary  to  prepare  for  retirement,  I  feel  myself 
alone,  bereaved  of  my  last  brother ;  yet  I  derive  a 
strong  consolation  from  the  unanimous  disposi- 
tion which  appears  in  all  ages  and  classes  to  mingle 


JL7%-9.]  life    of    WASHINGTON.  523 

their  sorrows  with  mine  on  this  common  calamity  to 
the  world. 

"The  life  of  our  Washington  cannot  suffer 
by  a  comparison  with  those  of  other  countries,  who 
Iiave  been  most  celebrated  and  exalted  by  fame. 
The  attributes  and  decorations  of  royalty  could  on- 
ly have  served  to  eclipse  the  majesty  of  those  vir- 
tues which  made  him  from  being  a  modest  citizen, 
a  more  resplendent  luminary.  Misfortune,  had  he 
lived,  could  hereafter  have  sullied  his  glory  only 
with  those  superficial  minds,  who,  believing  that 
characters  and  actions  arc  marked  by  success  alone, 
rarely  deserve  to  enjoy  it.  Malice  could  never  blast 
his  honour,  and  en'oy  made  him  a  singular  exception 
to  her  universal  rule.  For  himself,  he  had  live4 
long  enough  to  life  and  to  glory.  For  his  fellow 
citizens,  if  their  prayers  could  have  been  answered, 
he  would  have  been  immortal ;  for  me,  his  depart- 
ure is  at  a  most  unfortunate  moment.  Trusting, 
however,  in  the  wise  and  righteous  dominion  of 
Providence  over  the  passions  of  men,  and  the  results 
of  their  councils  and  actions,  as  well  as  over  their 
lives,  nothing  remains  for  me  but  humble  resigna- 
tion. 

"  His  example  is  now  complete ;  and  it  will 
teach  wisdom  and  virtue  to  magistrates,  citizens 
and  men,  not  only  in  the  present  age,  but  in  future 
generations,  as  long  as  our  history  shall  be  read.  If 
a  Trajan  found  a  Pliny,  a  Marcus  Aurelius  can  nev- 
er Avant  biographers,  eulogists,  or  historians." 

A  joint  Committee  of  the  two  Houses  reported 
the  following  resolutions. 


524  LIFE    or    V/ASHINCTON.  [1796-9, 

**  That  a  marble  monument  be  erected  by  the 
United  States  at  the  city  of  Washington,  and  that 
the  fiimily  of  General  Washington  be  requested 
to  permit  his  body  to  be  deposited  under  it ;  and 
that  the  monument  be  so  designed  as  to  commem- 
orate the  great  events  of  his  military  and  political 
life. 

"  That  there  be  a  funeral  procession  from  Con- 
gress Hall  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  ia 
memory  of  General  Washington,  on  Thursday 
the  26th  instant,  and  that  an  Oration  be  prepared  at 
the  request  of  Congress,  to  be  delivered  before  both 
Houses  on  that  day  ;  and  that  the  President  of  the 
Senate,  and  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
be  desired  to  request  one  of  the  members  of  Con- 
gress  to  prepare  and  deliver  the  same. 

*'  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  people  of  the 
United  States  to  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm  as  mourn- 
ing for  thirty  days. 

"  That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  re- 
quested to  direct  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  to  be 
transmitted  to  Mrs.  Washington,  assuring  her  of 
the  profound  respect  Congress  will  ever  bear  to  her 
person  and  character,  of  their  condolence  on  the  late 
affecting  dispensation  of  Providence,  and  entreating 
her  assent  to  the  interment  of  the  remains  of  General 
Washington  in  the  manner  expressed  in  the  first 
resolution. 

*'  That  the  President  be  requested  to  issue  his 
Proclamation,  notifying  to  the  people  throughout 
the  United  States  the  recommendation  contained  in 
the  tlilrd  resolution.'* 


E796-9.]  LIFE    OP    WASHINGTON.  525 

The  President  transmitted  the  resolutions  of 
Congress  to  Mrs.  Washington,  to  which  she  thus 
repHed. 

*'  Taught  by  the  great  example  which  I  have  so 
long  had  before  me,  never  to  oppose  my  private 
wishes  to  the  publick  will,  I  must  consent  to  the  re- 
quest made  by  Congress,  which  you  have  had  the 
goodness  to  transmit  to  me ;  and  in  doing  this,  I 
need  not,  I  cannot  say,  what  a  sacrifice  of  individual 
feeling  I  make  to  a  sense  of  duty." 

Information  of  the  death  of  General  Washing- 
ton was, throughout  the  United  States, accompanied 
^y  spontaneous  and  universal  expressions  of  deep 
grief  for  his  loss,  and  of  the  highest  veneration  foe 
his  memory.  The  citizens  without  exception  com- 
plied wath  the  recommendations  of  Congress.  Civil 
Incorporations  and  Legislative  Bodies,  Colleges  and 
all  other  respectable  Societies,  formed  funeral  pro- 
cessions, and  attended  upon  prayers,  eulogies,  and 
©rations. 

The  resolution  of  Congress  respecting  the  mon- 
ument has  not  been  carried  into  execution.  When 
a  motion  for  the  necessary  appropriation  wsls  made 
in  the  House  of  Representatives,  many  members 
manifested  a  preference  for  an  Equestrian  Statue, 
voted  by  Congress  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  in 
the  dispute  between  a  monument  and  a  statue,  the 
session  of  the  Legislature  passed  away,  and  no  ap- 
propriation \\'as  made. 

They,  who  had  opposed  every  part  of  his  ad- 
ministration, probably  could  not  in  sincerity  favour 
a  National  Monument  to  his  memory  ;    and  when 


S26  LIFE     OF    WASHINGTON.  [1796-9. 

the  subject  was  revived  in  Congress,  the  publick 
feelings  having  in  some  measure  subsided,  they  op- 
posed any  appropriation  for  this  purpose,  as  an  im- 
proper use  of  publick  money.  The  reason  as- 
signed  for  objecting  to  the  measure  was,  that  the 
gratitude  and  veneration  of  the  people  were  the  ap^ 
propriate  monument  of  the  publick  services  of  tlie 
American  Patriot. 

General  Washington  never  had  any  children. 
By  his  will  he  left  Mrs.Washington  the  use  of  all  his 
property  during  her  life.  At  her  decease  he  liber- 
ated his  slaves,  and  disposed  of  property  among  his 
and  her  relations,  amounting  by  his  own  estimate, 
to  five  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  dollars. 


ItFI    OF    WASHINCTOir."'  S27 


CONCLUSION. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  was  exactly 
six  feet  in  height,  he  appeared  taller,  as  his  should- 
ers rose  a  little  higher  than  the  true  proportion.  His 
eyes  were  of  a  grey,  and  his  hair  of  a  brown  colour. 
His  limbs  v/ere  well  formed,  and  indicated  strength. 
His  complexion  was  light,  and  his  countenance  se- 
rene and  thoughtful.  His  manners  were  graceful, 
manly  and  dignified.  His  general  appearance  never 
failed  to  engage  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who 
approached  him. 

Possessing  strong  natural  passions,  and  having 
the  nicest  feelings  of  honour,  he  was  in  early  life 
prone  keenly  to  resent  practices  which  carried  the 
intention  of  abuse  or  insult ;  but  the  reflections  of 
maturer  age  gave  him  the  most  perfect  government 
€>f  himself.  He  possessed  a  faculty  above  all  other 
men  to  hide  the  weaknesses  inseparable  from  human 
nature ;  and  he  bore  with  meekness  and  equanimity 
kis  distinguished  honours. 

Reserved,  but  not  haughty,  in  his  disposition, 
he  was  accessible  to  all  in  concerns  of  business,  but 
he  opened  himself  only  to  his  confidential  friends  ; 
and  no  art  or  address  could  draw  from  him  an  opin- 
ion, which  he  thought  prudent  to  conceal. 

He  was  not  so  m«{ch  distinguished  for  brilliancy 
of  genius  as  for  solidity  of  judgment,  and  consum- 
mate prudence  of  conduct.     He  was  not  so  eminent 


^28  tJFE    Of    WASHINGTON. 

for  any  one  quality  of  greatness  and  worthy  as  for  the 
union  of  those  great,  amiable  and  good  qualities, 
which  are  very  rarely  combined  in  the  same  char- 
acter. 

His  maxims  Were  formed  upon  tlie  result  of  ma- 
ture reflection,  or  extensive  experience  ;  they  were 
the  invariable  rules  of  his  practice ;  and  on  all  im- 
portant instances,  he  seeniied  to  have  an  intuitive 
view  of  what  the  occasion  rendered  fit  and  proper. 
He  pursued  his  purposes  with  a  resolution,  which, 
one  solitary  moment  excepted,  never  failed  him.* 

Alive  to  social  pleasures,  he  delighted  to  en- 
ter into  familiar  conversation  with  his  acquaint- 
ance, and  was  sometimes  sportive  in  his  letters  to 
his  friends  ;  but  he  never  lost  sight  of  the  dignity  o^ 
his  character,  nor  deviated  from  the  decorous  and 
appropriate  behaviour  becoming  his  station  in  soci- 
ety. 

He  commanded  fr'om  all  the  most  respectful  at- 
tention, and  no  man  in  his  company  ever  fell  into 
light  or  lewd  conversation.  His  stile  of  living  cor- 
responded with  his  wealth  ;  but  his  extensive  estab- 
lishment was  managed  with  the  strictest  economy, 
and  he  ever  reserved  ample  funds  liberally  to  pro- 
mote schemes  of  private  benevolence,  and  works  of 
publick  utilit)^  Punctual  himself  to  every  engage- 
ment, he  exacted  from  others  a  strict  fulfilment  of 
contracts,  but  to  the  necessitous  he  was  diffusive  ii» 
his  charities,  and  he  greatly  assisted  the  poorer  clas- 
ses of  people  in  his  vicinity,  b\»  furnishing  them  with 
means  successfully  to  prosecute  plans  of  industry. 

*  On  York  Island,  in  ir76....See  page  98. 


LIPK    OF     WASHINGTON.  529 

In  domestick  and  private  life,  he  blended  the  au- 
thority ot"  the  master  with  the  care  and  kindness  of 
the  .guardian  and  friend.  Solicitous  for  the  welfare 
of  his  slavesj  while  at  Mount  Vernon,  he  every 
morning-  rode  round  his  estates  to  examine  their 
condition  ;  f(3r  the  sick,  physicians  were  provided, 
«nd  to  the  weak  and  infirm  every  necessary  comfort 
was  administered.  The  servitude  of  the  negroes 
lay  with  weight  upon  his  mind ;  he  often  made  it 
the  subject  of  conversation,  and  revolved  several 
plans  for  their  general  emancipation  ;  but  could  de- 
vise none,  which  promised  success,  in  consistency 
with  humanity  to  them,  and  safety  to  the  state. 

The  address  presented  to  him  at  Alexandria,  on 
the  commencement  of  his  presidency,  fully  shows 
how  much  he  was  endeared  to  his  neighbours,  and 
the  affection  and  esteem,  in  which  his  friends  held 
his  private  character. 

His  industry  was  unremitted,  and  his  method  so 
exact,  tJiat  ail  the  complicated  business  of  his  mili- 
tary command,  and  civil  administration,  was  man- 
aged without  confusion,  and  without  hurry. 

Not  feeling  the  lust  of  power,  and  ambitious 
bnly  for  honourable  fame,  he  devoted  himself  to  his 
country  upon  the  most  disinterested  principles  ;  and 
his  actions  ^vore  not  the  semblance  but  the  reality 
of  virtue  t  The  purity  of  his  motives  was  accredited, 
and  absolute  confidence  placed  in  his  patriotism. 

,  While  filling  a  publick  station,   tJie  performance 

of  his  duty  took  the  place  of  pleasure,  emolument 

and  every  private  consideration.     During  the  more 

critical  years  of  the  war,  a  smile  was  scarcely  seen 

u  u  u 


SS6  LltE    OP      WASHINGTO!ir. 

upon  his  countenance,  he  gave  himself  no  moments* 
of  relaxation  ;  but  his  whole  mind  was  engrossed  to 
execute  successfully  his  trust. 

As  a  military  commander,  he  struggled  with 
inimmerable  embarrassments,  arising  from  the  short 
jnlistment  of  his  men,  and  from  the  want  of  provis- 
ions, clothing,  arms  and  ammunition  ;  and  an  opin- 
ion of  his  achievements  should  be  formed  in  view 
of  these  inadequate  means. 

The  first  years  of  his  civil  administration  were 
attended  with  the  extraordinary  fact,  that  while  a 
great  proportion  of  his  countrymen  reprobated  his 
measures,  they  universally  venerated  his  character^ 
and  relied  implicitly  on  his  integrity.  Although 
his  opponents  eventually  deemed  it  expedient  to 
vilify  his  character,  that  they  might  diminish  his 
political  influence  ;  yet  the  moment  that  he  re- 
tired from  publick  life,  they  returned  to  their  expres- 
sions of  veneration  and  esteem  ;  and  after  his  deaths 
used  every  endeavour  to  secure  to  their  party  the  in- 
fluence of  his  name. 

He  was  as  eminent  for  piety,  as  for  patriotism. 
His  publick  and  private  conduct  evince,  that  he  im- 
pressively felt  a  sense  of  the  superintendence  of  God 
and  of  the  dependence  of  man.  In  his  addresses 
while  at  the  head  of  the  army,  and  of  the  national 
government,  he  gratefully  noticed  the  signal  bless- 
ings of  Providence,  and  fervendy  commended  his 
country  to  divine  benediction.  In  private,  he  was 
known  to  have  been  habitually  devout. 

In  principle  and  practice  he  was  a  Christian, 
The  support  of  an  Episcopal  church,  in  the  vicinity 


•LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  Sol 

of  Mount  Vernon,  rested  principally  upon  him,  and 
here,  when  on  his  estate,  he  with  constancy  attendr 
€d  publick  worship.  In  his  address  to  the  Ameri- 
can people,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  mentioning  the 
favourable  period  of  the  world  at  m  Inch  die  inde- 
pendence of  his  country  was  established,  and  enu- 
merating the  causes  \Ahich  unitedly  had  ameliorated 
the  condition  of  human  society,  he,  above  science, 
philosophy,  commerce,  and  all  other  considerations, 
ranked  "  t/ie  pure  and  benign  light  of  Reijelation.''^ 
Supplicating  Heaven  that  his  fellow  citizens  might 
cultivate  the  disposition,  and  practise  the  virtues, 
which  exalt  a  community,  he  presented  the  following 
petition  to  his  God,  '*  That  lie  would  most  gracious- 
ly be  pleased  to  dispose  us  all  to  do  justice,  to  love 
mercy,  and  to  demean  ourselves  with  that  charity, 
humility  and  pacifick  temper  of  mind,  which  were 
the  characteristicks  of  the  Dhine  Author  of  our  bleS' 
sed  religion  ;  without  an  humble  imitation  of  whose 
example,  in  these  things,  we  can  never  hope  to  be  an 
happy  nation." 

During  the  war,  he  not  unfrequently  rode  ten 
or  twelve  miles  from  camp  to  attend  publick  wor- 
ship ;  and  he  never  omitted  this  attendance,  w  hen 
opportunity  presented. 

In  the  establishment  of  his  presidential  household, 
he  reserved  to  himself  the  Sabbath,  free  from  the 
interruptions  of  private  visits,  or  publick  business; 
and  throughout  the  eight  years  of  his  civil  adminis- 
tration,  he  gave  to  the  institutions  of  Christianity  the 
influence  of  his  example.  "^ 

He  was  as  fortunate  as  ^reat  and  good. 


532  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON, 

Under  his  auspices,  a  civil  Mar  was  conducted 
with  mildness,  and, a  revoUition  with  order.  Raised 
himself  above  the  influence  of  popular  passions,  he 
happily  directed  these  passions  to  the  most  useful 
purposes.  Uniting  the  talents  of  the  soldier  with 
the  qualifications  of  the  statesman,  and  pursuing, 
unmoved  by  difficulties,  the  noblest  end  by  the  pur- 
est means,  he  had  the  supreme  satisfaction  of  behold- 
ing the  complete  success  of  his  great  military  and 
civil  services,  in  the  independence  and  happiness  of 
his  country. 


THE  END. 


APPENDIX 


WASHINGTON'S  WILL. 


LV  THE  JVAMR  OF  GOD,  AMEK. 
I  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  of  Mount  Vernon,  a 
Citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  lately  President  of  the  same, 
DO  make,  ordain  and  declare  this  Instrument,  which  is  written 
with  my  own  hand,*  and  every  page  thereof  subscribed  with 
my  Name,  to  be  my  last  WILL  and  TESTAMENT,  revok- 
ing all  others, Imprivns.     All  my   debts,  of  which  there 

are  but  few,  and  none  of  magnitude,  are  to  be  punctually  and 
speedily  paid,  and  the  Legacies  herein  after  bequeathed,  are  to 
be  discharged  as  soon  as  circumstances  will  permit,  and  in  th6 
manner  directed. 

Itejyi. — To  iny  dearly  beloved  Wife  Martha  Washington^ 
i  give  and  bequeath  the  use,  profit  and  benefit  of  my  whole  Es- 
tate, real  and  personal,  for  the  term  of  her  natviral  life,  except 
such  parts  thereof  as  are  specially  disposed  of  hereafter.  My 
improved  Lot,  in  the  town  of  Alexandria,  situated  on  Pitt  and 
Cameron  streets,  I  give  to  her  and  her  heirs  forever  ;  as  I  also 
do  my  Household  and  Kitchen  FvuTiiture,  of  every  soit  and 
kind,  with  the  Liquors  and  Groceries  which  may  be  on  hand  at 
the  time  of  my  decease,  to  be  used  arid  disposed  of  as  she  may 
think  proper. 

Item. — Upon  the  decease  of  my  v/ife,  it  is  my  will  and  de- 
sire that  all  the  Slaves  which  I  hold  in  rny  own  right  shall  re- 

*  In  the  original  manufcript,  George  V/asiijkc  rot'^  came  v/as  wriiten 
at  the  bpttom  of  every  page. 


554  APPENDIX. 

ceive  thrir  freedom.  To  emancipate  them  during  her  life, 
would,  though  earnestly  wished  by  me,  be  attended  with  such 
insuperable  difficulties,  on  account  of  their  intermixture  by 
marriage  Avith  the  dpwer  negroes,  as  to  .exeite  the  most  pain- 
ful sensations,  if  not  disagreeable  consequences  trom  the  lat- 
ter, while  both  descriptions  are  in  the  occupancy  of  the  same 
proprietor  ;  it  not  being  in  my  p»\ver,  under  the  tenure  by 
which  the  dower  negroes  are  held,  to  manumit  them.  Arid 
ivhereas^  among  those  who  will  receive  freedom  according  to 
this  devise,  there  may  be  some,  who  from  old  age  or  bodily  in- 
firmities, and  others,  who  on  account  of  their  infancy,  that  will 
be  unable  to  support  themselves,  it  is  my  will  and  desire,  that 
all  Avho  come  under  the  first  and  second  description,  shall  be 
comfortably  clothed  and  fed  by  my  heirs  while  they  live  ;  and 
that  such  of  the  latter  description  as  have  no  parents  Jiving,  or 
if  living,  are  unable  or  unwilling  to  provide  for  them,  sh:ill  be 
bound  by  the  court  until  they  shall  arrive  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  years  ;  and  in  cases  where  no  record  can  be  produced, 
whereby  their  ages  can  be  ascertained,  the  judgment  of  the 
court,  ujwn  its  own  view  of  the  subject,  shall  be  adequate  and 
final.  The  negroes  thus  bound,  are  (by  their  masters  or 
mistresses)  to  be  taught  to  read  and  write,  and  to  be  brought 
up  to  some  useful  occupation,  agreeably  to  the  laws  of  the 
Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  providing  for  the  support  of  or- 
phan and  other  poor  children.  And  I  do  hereby  expressly 
forbid  the  sale  or  transportation,  out  of  the  said  Common- 
wealth, of  any  Slave,  I  may  die  possessed  of,  under  any  pre- 
tence whatsoever.  And  I  do  moreover,  most  pointedly  and 
most  solemnly  enjoin  it  upon  my  Executors  hereafter  named, 
or  the  survivor  of  them,  to  see  that  this  clause  respecting 
Slaves,  and  every  part  thereof,  be  i-pligiously  fulfilled  at  the 
epoch  at  which  it  is  directed  to  take  place,  without  evasion, 
neglect,  or  delay,  after  the  crops  which  may  then  be  on  the 
ground  arc  harvested,  particularly  as  it  respects  the  aged  and 
infirm  ;  seeing  that  a  regular  and  permanent  fund  be  es- 
tablished for  their  support,  as  long  as  there  are  subjects 
requiring  it ;  not  trusting  to  the  uncertain  provision  to  be 
made  by  individuals.     And  to  my  Mulatto  man,   IVillianu  call- 


APPENDIX.  SS^ 

ing  himself  William  Lee,  I  give  immediate  freedom,  or  if  h« 
should  prefer  it,  (on  account  of  the  accidents  which  have  be- 
fallen him,  and  which  have  rendered  him  incapable  of  walk- 
ing, or  of  any  active  employment)  to  remain  in  the  situation 
he  now  is,  it  shall  be  optional  in  him  to  do  so  ;  in  either  casei 
however,  I  allow  him  an  annuity  of  Thirty  Dollars,  during  his 
natural  life,  which  shall  be  independent  of  the  victuals  and 
clothes  he  has  been  accustomed  to  receive,  if  he  chooses  the 
last  alternative  ;  but  in  full  with  his  freedom,  if  he  prefers  the 
first ;  and  this  I  give  him,  as  a  testimony  of  my  sense  of  hi» 
attachment  to  me,  and  for  his  faithful  services  during  the 
Revolutionary  War. 

Item. — To  the  Trustees  (Governours,  or  by  Avhatsoever 
othei'  name  they  may  be  designated)  of  the  Academy,  in  the 
town  of  Alexandria,  I  give  and  bequeath,  intrust,  Four  Thou- 
sand Dollars,  or  in  other  words,  twenty  of  the  Shares  which  I 
hold  in  the  Bank  of  Alexandria,  towards  the  support  of  a  Fre« 
School,  estaLlished  at,  and  annexed  to,  the  said  Academy,  for 
the  pm-pose  of  educating  such  Orphan  Children,  or  the  Chil- 
dren of  such  other  poor  and  indigent  persons,  as  are  unable  to 
accomplish  it  with  their  own  means  ;  and  who,  in  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Trustees  of  the  said  Seminary,  are  best  entitled 
to  the  benefit  of  this  donation.  The  aforesaid  20  Shares  I 
give  and  bequeath  in  perpetuity  ;  tlie  dividends  only  of  which 
are  to  be  drawn  for,  and  applied  by  the  said  Trustees, 
for  the  time  being,  for  the  uses  abovementioned  ;  the  Stock 
to  remain  entire  and  untouched,  unless  indications  of  fail- 
ure of  the  said  Bank  should  be  so  apparent,  or  a  discontin- 
uance thereof,  should  render  a  removal  of  this  fund  necessary. 
In  cither  of  these  cases,  the  amount  of  the  Stock  here  devised 
is  to  be  vested  in  some  other  hank,  or  publick  institution, 
whereby  the  interest  may  with  regularity  and  certainty  be 
drawn  and  applied  as  above  :  And,  to  prevent  misconception, 
my  meaning  is,  and  is  hereby  declared  to  be,  that  these  Twen- 
ty Shares  are  in  lieu  of,  and  not  in  addition  to,  the  Thous- 
and Pounds  given  by  a  missive  letter  some  years  ago  ;  in  con- 
sequence whereof,  an  annuity  of  Fifty  Pounds  has  since  beea 
paid  towards  tlie   support  of  this  institution. 


Jif^n.»— WHKRBAfi  by  a  law  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
-Virginb,  enacted  m  the  year  1785,  the  Legislature  thereof, 
was  pleased,  as  an  evidence  of  its  approbation  of  the  services  I 
had  x-endered  the  publick  during  the  Revolution,  and  partly  I 
believe,  in  consideration  of  my  having  suggested ,  the  vast  ad- 
Vantages  which  the  community  would  derive  from  the  exten- 
sion of  its  inland  navigation  under  Legislative  patronage,  to 
present  me  with  One  Hundred  Shares,  of  One  Hundred  Dol- 
lars each,  in  the  incorporated  Company,  established  for  the 
purpose  of  extending  the  navigation  of  James'  River,  from  tide 
\vater  to  the  mountains  ;— *and  also  with  Fifty  Shares  of  100/. 
sterling  each,  in  the  corporation  of  another  company  likewise 
established  for  the  similar  purpose  of  opening  the  navigation  of 
the  river  Potowmack,  from  the  tide  water  to  Fort  Cumberland  ; 
the  acceptance  of  which,  although  the  offer  was  highly  honour- 
able and  grateful  to  my  feelings,  was  refused,  as  inconsistent 
with  a  principle  which  I  had  adopted,  and  had  never  departed 
.from — 'viz.  not  to  receive  pecuniary  com|>ensation  for  any  ser- 
vices I  could  render  my  country  in  its  ardvious  struggle  with 
Great  Britain  for  its  rights  ;  and  because  I  had  evaded  similar 
propositions  from  other  States  in  the  Union.  Adding  to  this 
refusal,  however,  an  intimation  that,  if  it  should  be  the  pleasure 
of  the  legislature,  to  permit  me  to  appropriate  the  said  shares 
to  publick  uses,  I  would  receive  them  on  those  terms  with  due 
sensibility  ;  and  this  it  having  consented  to,  in  flattering  terms, 
as  will  appear  by  a  subsequent  law,  and  sundry  resolutions,  in 
the  most  ample  and  honourable  manner,  I  proceed  after  this  re- 
cital, for  the  more  correct  understanding  of  the  case,  to  declare 
— That  as  it  has  always  been  a  source  of  serious  regret  with 
me,  to  see  the  youth  of  these  United  States  sent  to  foreign 
countries  for  the  purpose  of  education,  often  before  thieir  minds 
were  formed,  or  they  had  imbibed  any  adequate  ideas  of  the 
happiness  of  their  own  ;  contracting  too  frequently,  not  only 
habits  of  dissipation  and  extravagance,  but  principles  unfriend- 
ly to  Republican  Government,  and  to  the  true  and  genuine 
liberties  of  mankind  ;  which  thereafter  are  rarely  overcome. 
For  these  reasons  it  has  been  my  ardent  wish,  to  see  a  plan  de- 
vised on  a  liberal  scale,  -which  would  have  a  tendency  to  spreaci 


APPENDIX.  SSi 

i^ystematic  ideas  through  all  parts  of  this  rising  empire,  thereby 
to  do  away  local  attachments  and  State  prejudices,  as  far  as  the 
nature  of  thii^gs  would,  or  indeed  ought  to  admit,  from  our 
National  Councils. — Looking  anxiously  forward  to  the  accom- 
plishment of  so  desirable  an  object  as  this  is  (in  my  estima- 
tion) my  mind  has  not  been  able  to  contemplate  any  plan  more 
likely  to  effect  the  measure  than  the  establishment  of  an  UNI- 
VERSITY in  a  central  part  of  the  United  States,  to  which  the 
Youths  of  fortune  and  talents  from  all  parts  thereof,  may  be 
sent  for  the  completion  of  their  education,  in  all  the  branches 
of  polite  literature  ;  in  arts  and  sciences,  in  acquiring  knowl- 
edge in  the  principles  of  politicks  and  good  government,  and, 
(as  a  matter  of  infinite  importance  in  my  judgment)  by  asso- 
ciating with  each  other,  and  forming  friendships  in  juvenile 
years,  be  enabled  to  free  themselves,  in  a  proper  degree,  from 
those  local  prejudices  and  habitual  jealousies  which  have  just 
been  mentioned  ;  and  which,  when  carried  to  excess,  are  nev- 
er failing  sources  of  disquietude  to  the  publick  mind,  and  preg- 
nant of  mischievous  consequences  to  this  country,  under  thess 
impressions,  so  fully  dilated. 

Item. — I  give  and  bequeath  in  perpetiiity,  the  Fifty  Shares 
which  I  hold  in  the  Potovvmack  company  (under  the  aforesaid 
acts  of  the  Legislature  of  Virginia)  towards  the  endowment  of 
an  UNIVERSITY,  to  be  established  within  the  limits  of  the 
district  of  Columbia,  under  the  auspices  of  the  General  Gov- 
ernment, if  that  Government  should  incline  to  exteml  a  foster- 
ing hand  towards  it ;  and  until  such  Seminary  is  established, 
and  the  funds  arising  on  these  shares  shall  be  required  for  its 
support,  my  further  will  and  desire  is  that  the  profit  accruing 
therefrom,  shall,  whenever  the  dividends  are  made,  be  laid  out 
in  purchasing  Stock  in  the  Bank  of  Columbia,  or  some  other 
Bank,  at  the  discretion  of  my  Executors,  or  by  the  Treasurer 
of  the  United  States  for  the  time  being,  imder  the  direction  of 
Congress — provided  that  honourable  body  should  patronize  the 
measvire  ;  and  the  dividends  proceeding  from  the  purchase  of 
such  Stock,  is  to  be  vested  in  more  Stock,  and  so  on,  until  a 
ifeum,  adequate  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  object  is  obtained  ; 
W  which  I  have  not  the  smallest  doubt  before  many  years  pas*? 
W  W  W 


53S  APPENDIX. 

away,  even  if  no  aid  or  encouragement  is  given  by  the  Legisla- 
tive authority,  or  from  any  other  source. 

Item. — The  Hundred  Shares  which  I  hold  in  the  Jame« 
River  Company,  I  have  given,  and  now  confirm  in  perpetuity, 
to  and  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  Liberty  Hall  Academy,  in  the 
County  of  Rockbridge,  in  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia. 

Item. — I  release,  exonerate  and  discharge  the  Estate  of  my 
deceased  Brother  Samuel  Washington,  from  the  payment  of  the 
money  Avhich  is  due  to  me  for  the  land  I  sold  to  Phillfi  Pendle- 
ton (lying  in  the  County  of  Berkley)  who  assigned  the  same  to 
him,  the  said  Samuel.,  who  by  agreement,  was  to  pay  me  there- 
for :  And  ivhereas,  by  some  contract,  (the  purport  of  which  was 
never  communicated  to  me)  between  the  said  Samuel  and  his 
son,  Thornton  Washingtoti,  the  latter  became  possessed  of  the 
aforesaid  Land,  without  any  conveyance  having  passed  from 
jne,  either  to  the  said  Pendleton,  the  said  Samuel,  or  the  said 
Thornton,  and  without  any  consideration  having  been  made,  by 
which  neglect  neither  the  legal  nor  equitable  title  has-been 
alienated  ;  it  rests  therefore  with  me  to  declare  my  intentions 
concerning  the  premises  ;  and  these  are  to  give  and  bequeath 
the  said  land  to  whomsoever  the  said  Thornton  IVashingt^n^ 
(who  is  also  dead)  devised  the  same,  or  to  his  heirs  forever,  if 
he  died  intestate,  exonerating  the  estate  of  the  said  Thornton, 
equally  with  that  of  the  said  Samuel,  from  payment  of  the  pur- 
chase money,  which,  with  interest,  agreeably  to  the  original 
contract  with  the  said  Pendleton,  would  amount  to  more  than 
a  Thousand  Pounds  :  And  whereas,  two  other  sons  of  my  said 
deceased  Brother  Samuel,  namely,  George  Ste/itoe  Washington, 
and  Lawrence  Augustine  Washington,  were,  by  the  decease  of 
those  to  whose  care  they  Avere  committed,  brought  under  my 
protection,  and  in  consequence,  have  occasioned  advances  on 
my  part,  for  their  education  at  College,  and  other  schools,  for 
their  board,  clothing,  and  other  incidental  expenses,  to  the 
amount  of  near  Five  Thousand  Dollars,  over  and  above  the 
sums  furnished  by  their  estate,  which  sum  it  may  be  inconven- 
ient for  them  or  their  father's  estate  to  refund — I  do  for  these 
reasons  acquit  them  and  the  said  estate  from  the  payment 
thereof — my  intention  being  tliat  all  accounts  between  them 
and  me,  and  their  father's  estate  and  me,  shall  stand  balancctl. 


APPENDIX.  539 

Item. — The  balance  due  to  me  from  the  estate  of  Bartholo- 
■inerv  Dandriclge^  deceased,  (my  Wife's  Brother)  and  which 
amounted  on  the  first  day  of  October,  1795,  to  four  hundred 
and  tAventyfive  pounds,  (as  will  appear  by  an  account  rendered 
by  his  deceased  son  John  Da7ich-idge,  who  was  the  acting  exec- 
utor of  his  father's  will,  I  I'elease  and  acquit  from  the  payment 
thereof and  the  negroes  (then  thirtythree  in  number,  for- 
merly belonging  to  the  said  estate,  who  were  taken  in  execu- 
tion, sold  and  purchased  in  on  my  account,  in  the  year  (blank) 
and  ever  since  have  remained  in  the  possession,  and  to  the  use 
oi  Mary,,  widow  of  the  said  Bartholometa  Dandridge^  with  their 
increase,  it  is  my  will  and  desire  shall  continue  and  be  in 
her  possession,  without  paying  hire,  or  making  compensation 
for  the  same,  for  the  time  past  or  to  come,  durmg  her  natural 
life  ;  at  the  expiration  of  which,  I  direct  that  all  of  them  who 
are  forty  years  old  and  upwards,  shall  receive  their  freedom  ; 
and  all  under  that  age,  and  above  sixteen,  shall  serve  seven 
years  and  no  longer  ;  and  all  under  sixteen  years  shall  serve 
until  they  are  twentyfive  years  of  age,  and  then  be  free-^and 
to  avoid  disputes  respecting  the  ages  of  any  of  these  negroes, 
they  are  to  be  taken  into  the  Court  of  the  County  in  which 
they  reside,  and  the  judgment  thereof,  in  this  relation,  shall  be 
final,  and  record  thereof  made,  which  may  be  adduced  as  evi- 
dence at  any  time  thereafter,  if  disputes  should  arise  concern- 
ing the  same — And  I  furthur  direct  that  the  heirs  of  the  said 
JBartholomew  Dandndge  shall  equally  share  the  benefits  arisinaj 
from  the  services  of  the  said  negroes,  accordmg  to  the  tenor 
©f  this  devise,  upon  the  decease  of  their  mother. 

Item — If  Charles  Carter,  who  intermarried  with  my  niece, 
Betty  Lewis,  is  not  sufficiently  secured  in  the  title  to  the  lots 
he  had  of  me  in  the  town  of  Fredericksburg,  it  is  my  will  and 
DESIRE  that  my  Executors  shall  make  such  conveyances  of 
them  as  the  law  requires  to  render  it  perfect. 

Item . — To  my  nephew,  William  Augustiyie  Washington,  and 
his  Heirs  (if  he  should  conceive  them  to  be  objects  woith 
prosecuting)  a  Lot  in  the  town  of  Manchester  (opposite  to 
Richmond)  No.  265,  drawn  on  my  sole  account,  and  also  the 
lenth  of  one  or  two  hundred  acre  lots,  and  two  or  three  half 


540  APPENDIX. 

acre  lots,  in  the  city  and  vicinity  of  Richmond,  drawn  in  part- 
nership with  nine  others,  all  in  the  Lottery  of  the  deceased 
William  Byrd,  are  given  ;  as  is  also  a  lot  which  I  purchased  of 
John  Hood,  conveyed  by  William  Willie  and  Samuel  Gordon^ 
Trustees  of  the  said  Jo/in  Hood,  numbered  139,  in  the  town  of 
Edinburgh,  in  the  County  of  Prince  George,  State  of  Virginia. 

Item. — To  my  nephew,  Bushrod  Washington,  I  give  and 
bequeath  all  the  Papers  in  my  possession,  which  relate  to  my 
civil  and  military  administration,  of  the  affairs  of  this  country. 
— I  leave  to  him  also,  such  of  my  private  Papers  as  are  worth 
preserving  ;  and  at  the  decease  of  my  Wife,  and  before,  if  she 
is  not  inclined  to  retain  them,  I  give  and  bequeath  my  Library 
of  Books  and  Pamphlets  of  every  kind. 

Item. — Having  sold  lands  which  I  possessed  in  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  part  of  a  tract  held  in  equal  right  with 
George  Clinton,  late  Governour  of  Newyork  ;  in  the  State  of 
Newyork,  my  share  of  land  and  interest,  in  the  Great  Dismal 
Swamp,  and  a  tract  of  land  which  I  owned  in  the  County  of 
Gloucester — withholding  the  legal  titles  thereto,  until  the  con- 
sideration money  should  be  paid — and  having  moreover  leased 
and  conditionally  sold  (as  will  appear  by  the  tenor  of  the  said 
leases)  all  my  lands  upon  the  Great  Kenhawa,  and  a  tract  up- 
on Difficult  Run,  in  the  County  of  Loudoun,  it  is  my  will  and 
DIRECTION,  that  whensoever  the  contracts  are  fully  and  res- 
pectively complied  with,  according  to  the  spirit,  true  intent 
and  meaning  thereof,  on  the  part  of  the  purchasers,  their  heirs 
or  assigns,  that  then,  and  in  that  case,  conveyances  are  to  be 
made,  agreeable  to  the  terms  of  the  said  contracts,  and  the 
money  arising  therefrom,  when  paid,  to  be  vested  in  Bank 
Stock  ;  the  dividends  whereof,  as  of  that  also  which  is  already 
vested  therein,  is  to  inure  to  my  said  Wife  during  her  life,  but 
the  stock  itself  is  to  remain  and  be  subject  to  the  general  dis- 
tribution hereafter  directed. 

Item. — To  the  Earl  of  Buchan  I  recommit  the  "  Box  made 
of  the  Oak,  that  sheltei'ed  the  great  Sir  William  Wallace,  after 
the  battle  of  Falkirk,"  presented  to  me  by  his  Lordship  in 
terms  too  fluttering  for  me  to  repeat,  with  a  request  "  to  pass 
it,  on  the  event  of  my  decease,  to  the  man  in  my  countrv,  who 


APPENDIX.  541 

(should  appear  to  merit  it  best,  upon  the  same  conditions  that 
have  induced  him  to  send  it  to  me."  Whether  easy  or  not  to 
select  the  Man  who  might  comport  with  his  Lordship's  opin- 
ion in  this  respect,  is  not  for  me  to  say  ;  but  conceiving  that 
no  disposition  of  this  valuable  curiosity  can  be  more  eligible 
than  the  recommitment  of  it  to  his  own  cabinet,  agreeably  to 
the  original  design  of  the  Goldsmiths'  Company  of  Edin- 
burgh, who  presented  it  to  him,  and  at  his  request,  consented 
that  it  should  be  transferred  to  me— I  do  give  and  bequeath 
the  same  to  his  Lordship  ;  and  in  case  of  his  decease,  to  his 
heir,  with  my  gi'ateful  thanks  for  the  distinguished  honour  of 
presenting  it  to  me,  and  more  especially  for  the  favourable 
sentiments  with  which  he  accompanied  it. 

Item. — To  my  Brother  Charles  Washington.,  I  give  and  be- 
queath the  gold  headed  Cane,  left  me  by  Dr.  Franklin  in  his 
will.  I  add  nothing  to  it,  because  of  the  ample  provision  I 
have  made  for  his  issue.  To  the  acquaintances  and  friends  of 
my  juvenile  years,  Lawrence  Washingtori  and  Robert  Washing- 
ton., of  Chotanck,  I  give  my  other  two  gold  headed  Canes,  hav- 
ing my  arms  engraved  on  them  ;  and  to  each,  as  they  will  be 
useful  where  they  live,  I  leave  one  of  the  Spyglassses,  which 
constituted  part  of  my  equipage  during  the  late  war.  To 
my  Compatriot  in  arms,  and  old  and  intimate  Friend,  Dr- 
Craik,  I  give  my  Bureau,  (or,  as  the  cabinet  makers  call  it. 
Tambour  Secretary)  and  the  circular  Chair,  an  appendage  of 
my  study.  To  Dr.  David  Stuart,  I  give  my  large  shaving 
and  dressing  Table,  and  my  Telescope.  To  the  Reverend, 
now  Bryan,  Lord  Fairfax,  I  give  a  Bible,  in  three  large  folio 
volumes,  with  notes — presented  to  me  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Thom- 
as Wilson,  Bishop  of  Sodor  and  Mann.  To  General  De  La 
Fayette,  I  give  a  pair  of  finely  wrought  steel  Pistols,  taken 
from  the  enemy  in  the  revolutionary  war.     To  my  Sisters  in 

Law,   Hannah  Washington   and  Mildred    Wai^hington to  my 

friends  Eleanor  Stuart,  Hannah  Washington,  .of  Fairfield, 
and  Elizabeth  Washington,  of  Hayfield,  I  give  each  a  mourning 
ring,  of  the  value  of  one  hundred  dollars.  These  bequests 
are  not  made  for  the  intrinsick  value  of  them,  but  as  mementos 
pf  my  esteem  and  regard.     To  Tobias  Lear,  1  give  the  use  of 


542  APPENDIX. 

the  Farm  which  hft  now  holds,  in  virtue  of  a  leAse  from  me  t9' 
him  and  his  deceased  wife,  (for  and  during  their  natural  lives) 
free  from  rent  during  his  life  ;  ut  the  expiration  of  which,  it 
is  to  be  disposed  of  as  is  herein  after  directed.  To  Sally  B. 
Haynie^  (a  distant  relation  of  mine)  I  give  and  bequeath  thre» 
hundred  dollars.  To  Sarah  Green^  daughter  of  the  deceased 
Thomas  Bisho/i,  and  to  jinn  Walker^  daughter  o^John  jilton,  al- 
so deceased,  I  give  each  one  hundred  dollars,  in  consideration 
of  the  attachment  of  their  fathers  to  me  ;  each  of  whom  hav- 
ing lived  nearly  forty  years  in  my  family.  To  each  of  my 
Nephews,  William  Augustine  Washington.)  George Lewis^  George 
Stefitoe  WashingtQn,Btishrod  Washington.,  and  Samuel  Washing' 
ton,  I  give  one  of  the  Swords,  or  Cutteaux,  of  which  I  may  die 
possessed  ;  and  they  are  to  choose  in  the  order  they  are  nam- 
ed  These  swords  are  accompanied  Avith  an  injunction 

not  to  unsheath  them  for  the  purpose  of  shedding  blood,  ex- 
cept it  be  for  self  defence,  or  in  defence  of  their  country  and  its 
rights  ;  and  in  the  latter  case,  to  keep  them  unsheathed,  and 
prefer  falling  with  them  in  their  hands  to  the  relinquishment 
tliereof. 

And  Now,having  gone  through  these  specifick  Devises,with 
explanations  for  the  more  correct  understanding  of  the  mean- 
ing and  design  of  them,  I  pi'oceed  to  the  distribution  of  the 
more  important  parts  of  my  Estate,  in  manner  following: 

First — To  my  Nephew,  Bushrod  Washington,  and  his 
heirs,  (partly  in  consideration  of  an  intimation  to  his  deceased 
Father,  while  we  were  Bachelors,  and  he  had  kindly  undertak- 
en to  superintend  my  Estate  during  my  military  services,  in 
the  former  war  between  Great  Britain  and  France,  that  if  I 
should  fall  therein.  Mount  Vernon,  (then  less  extensive  in 
domain  than  at  present)  should  become  his  property)  I  give 
and  bequeath  all  that  part  thereof,  which  is  comprehended 
within  the  following  limits,  viz — Beginning  at  the  ford  of 
Dogue  Run,  near  my  Mill,  and  extending  along  the  road,  and 
bounded  the'reby,  as  it  now  goes,  and  ever  has  gone,  since  my 
recollection  of  it,  to  the  ford  of  Little  Hunting  Creek,  at  the 
Gum  Spring,  until  it  comes  to  a  knowl,  opposite  to  an  old  road 
•which  formerly  passed  through  the  lower  field  of  Muddy  Hole 


APPENDIX.  543 

Farm  ;  at  which,  on  the  north  side  of  the  said  road,  are  three 
Red  or  Spanish  Oaks,  marked  as  a  corner,  and  a  stone  placed 
— thence  by  a  line  of  trees,  to  be  marked  rectangular,  to  the 
back  line  or  outer  boundary  of  the  tract  between   Thomfison 
Mason  and  myself.. ..thence  with  that  line  easterly  (now  doub- 
le ditching,  with  a  post  and  rail  Fence  thereon)  to  the  run  of 
Little  Hunting  Creek — thence  with  that  run,  which  is  the 
boundary  between  the  lands  of  the  late  Huvifihrey  Peake^  and 
nne,  to  the  tide  water  of  the  said  Creek — thence  by  that  water 
to  Potowmack  River — thence  with  the  river  to  the  mouth  of 
Dogue  Creek — and  thence  with  the  said  Dogue  Creek  to  th« 
place  of  beginning  at  the  aforesaid  ford,  containing  upAvards 
of  four  thousand  acres  be  the  same  more  or  less,  together  -vnth 
the  Mansion  House,  and  all  other  buildings  and  improvements 
thereon.     Second — In  consideration  of  the  consanguinity  be- 
tween them  and  my  Wife,  being  as  nearly  related  to  her  as 
to  myself ;  as,  on  account  of  the  affection  I  had  for,  and  the 
obligation  I  was  under  to,  their  Father  when  living,  who  from 
his  youth  had  attached  himself  to  my  person,  and  followed  my 
fortunes  through  the  vicissitudes  of  the  late  Revolution,  after- 
wards devoting  his  time  to  the  superintendence  of  my  private 
concerns  for  many  years,  whilst  my  publick  employments  I'en- 
dered  it  impracticable  for  me  to  do  it  myself,  thereby  affording 
me  essential  services,  and  always  performing  them  in  a  man- 
ner the  most  filial  and  respectful :  Fqr  these  reasons,  I  say,  I 
give   and  bequeath   to  George  Fayette  Washington,  and  Laii}- 
rence  Jugustne  Washington,  and  their  heirs,  my  estate  east  of 
Little  Hunting  Creek,  lying  on  the  river  Potowmack,  includ- 
ing the  farm  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  leased  to  Tobias 
Lear,  as  noticed  Isefore,  and  containing  in  the  whole,  by  deed, 
two  thousand  and  twenty   seven  acres,  be  it  more   or   less ; 
which  said  estate,  it  is  my  will  and  desire  should  be  equitably 
and  advantageously  divided  betvv^een  them,  according  to  quanti- 
ty, quality,  and  other  circumstances,  when  the  youngest  shall 
have  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years,  by  thretf  judicious 
and  disinterested  men  ;  one  to  be  chosen  by  each  of  the  broth- 
ers, and  the  third  by  these  two.     In  the  mean  time,  if  the  ter- 
mination of  my  Wiffc's  interest  therein  should   huvs    ceased* 


SU  APPENDIX. 

llie  profits  arising  therefrom  are  to  be  applied  for  their  joint 
iises  and  benefit.  "J^uiRO—^nd  whereas  it  has  always  been 
my  intention,  since  my  expectation  of  having  issue  has  ceased, 
to  consider  the  grand  children  of  my  Wife  in  the  same  light 
as  I  do  my  own  relations,  and  to  act  a  friendly  part  by  them, 
more  especially  by  the  two  whom  we  have  raised  from-  their 
earliest  infancy,  namely,  Eleanor  Park  Ctcstisy  and  George 
Washington  Park  Custis,  and  whereas  the  former  of  these  hath 
lately  intermarried  with  Lawrence  Lewis^  a  son  of  my  deceas- 
ed sister,  Betty  Lewis,  by  which  union  the  inducement  to  pro- 
vide for  them  both  has  been  increased Wherefore,  I  give 

and  bequeath  to  the  said  Lawrence  Lews,  and  Eleanor  Park 
Lewis  his  wife,  and  their  heirs,  the  residue  of  my  Mount 
Vernon  Estate,  not  already  devised  to  my  Nephew,  Bushrod 
Washington,  comprehended  within  the  following  description, 
viz.  all  the  land  north  of  the  road  leading  from  the  ford  of 
Dogue  Run  to  the  Gum  Spring,  as  described  in  the  devise 
of  the  other  part  of  the  tract  to  Bushrod  Washington,  until  it 
comes  to  the  stone  and  three  red  or  Spanish  oaks  on  the 
knowl,  thence  with  the  rectangular  line  to  the  back  line  (be- 
tween Mr.  Mason  and  me)  thence  with  that  line  westerly  a- 
long  the  new  double  ditch  to  Dogue  Run,  by  the  tumbling 
dam  of  my  Mill,  thence  with  the  said  run  to  the  ford  afore- 
mentioned :  To  which  I  add,  all  the  land  I  possess  west  of 
the  said  Dogue  Run  and  Dogue  Creek,  bounded  easterly  and 
southerly  thereby  ;  together  with  the  mill,  distillery,  and  all 
other  houses  and  improvements  on  the  premises,  making  to- 
gether about  two  thousand  acres,  be  it  more  or  less.  Fourth 
■ — Actuated  by  the  principle  already  mentioned,  I  give  and 
bequeth  to  George  Washington  Park  Custis,  the  grandson  of 
Tny  Wife,  and  my  ward,  and  to  his  heirs,  the  tract  I  hold  on 
Four  Mile  Run,  in  the  vicinity  of  Alexandria,  containing  one 
thousand  two  hundred  acres,  more  or  less,  and  my  entire 
square,  No.  21,  in  the  city  of  Washington.  Fifth — All  the 
rest  and  residue  of  my  estate  real  and  personal,  not  disposed  of  in 
manner  aforesaid,  in  whatsoever  consisting,  wheresoever  lying, 
and  whensoever  found,a  schedule  of  which,as  far  as  is  recollect- 
ed, with  a  reasonable  estimate  of  its  value,  is  hereunto  annexed.     , 


Appendix.  i4i 

1  desire  may  be  sold  by  my  Executors,  at  such  times,  in  such 
manner,  and  on  such  credits,  (if  an  equal,  valid  and  satisfacto- 
ry distribution  of  the  specifick  property  cannot  be  made  with-* 
out)  as  in  their  judgment  shall  be  most  conducive  to  the  inter- 
est of  the  parties  concerned  ;  and  the  monies  arising  there- 
from to  be  divided  into  twentythree  equal  parts,  and  applied 
as  follow,  viz.  To  William  Augustine  Washington.,  Elizabeth 
S/iotsivood,  Jane  Thornton^  and  the  heirs  of  Ann  Ashton,  sons 
and  daughters  of  my  deceased  Brother,  Augustine  Washington, 
I  give  and  bequeath  four  parts  ;  that  is,  one  part  to  each  of 
them.  To  Melding  Leivis^  George  JLeivis,  Robert  Lewis,  HonV' 
ell  Lewis  and  Betty  Carter,  sons  and  daughters  of  my  deceased 
sister,  Betty  Lewis,  1  give  and  bequeath  five  other  parts  ;  one 
to  each  of  them.  To  Ceorge  Stefitoe  Washington,  Lawrence 
Augustine  Washington,  Harriott  Parks,  and  the  heirs  of  Thorn- 
ion  Washington,  sons  and  daughters  of  my  deceased  brother, 
Samuel  WasMngton,  I  give  and  bequeath  other  four  parts  ;  one 
to  each  of  them.  To  Corbin  Washington,  ^niS.  the  heirs  of 
Jane  Washington,  son  and  daughter  of  my  deceased  Brother, 
Joh7i  Augustine  Washington,  I  give  and  bequeath  tvv'o  parts  ; 
one  to  each  of  them.  To  Samuel  Washington,  Frances  Ball 
and  Mildred  Hammond,  son  and  daughters  of  my  Brother, 
Charles  Washington,  I  give  and  bequeath  three  parts  ;  one 
part  to  each  of  them  ;  And  to  George  Fayette  Washington, 
Charles  Augustine  Washington,  and  Maria  Wasldngton,  sons 
and  daughters  of  my  deceased  Nephew,  George  Augustine 
Washington',  I  give  one  other  part  ;  that  is,  to  each  a  third  of 
that  part.  To  Elizabeth  Park  Law,  Martha  Park  Peters,  and 
Eleanor  Park  Lewis,  I  give  and  bequeath  three  other  parts, 
that  is,  a  part  to  each  of  them.  And  to  my  Nephew,  Bushrod 
Washington  and  Lawrence  Lewis,  and  to  my  ward,  the  ^rand- 
*on  of  my  Wife,  I  give  and  bequeath  one  other  part,  that  is, 
a  third  thereof  to  each  of  them.  And  if  it  should  so  happen, 
that  any  of  the  persons  whose  names  are  here  enumerated 
(unknown  to  me)  should  now  be  dead,  or  should  die  before 
me,  that  in  either  of  these  cases,  the  heirs  of  such  deceased 
person  shall,  notwithstanding,  derive  all  the  benefits  of  the  be- 
quest in  the  same  manner,  as  if  he  or  she  was  actually  living 
XXX 


546  APPENDIX, 

at  the  time.  And  by  >v?.y  of  advice,  I  recommend  it  to  mf 
Executors  not  to  be  precipitate  of  disposing  of  the  landed  pi'op- 
crty  (herein  directed  to  be  sold)  if  from  temporary  causes,  th© 
sale  thereof  should  be  dull ;  experience  having  fully  evinced, 
that  the  price  of  land,  (especially  above  the  falls  of  the  river, 
and  on  the  western  waters)  have  been  progressively  rising, 
and  cannot  be  long  checked  in  its  increasing  value.  And  I 
particularly  recommend  it  to  such  of  the  Legatees  (under  this 
clause  of  my  will)  as  can  make  it  convenient,  to  take  each  a 
share  of  my  stock  in  the  Potowmack  Company,  in  preference 
to  the  amount  of  what  it  might  sell  for  ;  being  thoroughly 
convinced  myself,  that  no  uses  to  which  the  money  can  be  ap- 
plied will  be  so  productive  as  the  tolls  arising  from  this  navi- 
gation when  in  full  operation,  (and  thus,  from  the  nature  of 
things,  it  must  be,  ere  long)  and  more  especially  if  that  of 
the  Shenandoah  is  added  thereto. 

The  family  vault  at  Mount  Vernon  requiring  repairs,  and 
bring  improperly  situated  besides,  I  desire,  that  a  new  one  oF 
brick,  and  upon  a  larger  scale,  may  be  built  at  the  foot  of  what 
is  commonly  called  the  Vineyard  Inclosure,  on  the  ground 
which  is  marked  out :  In  which  my  remains,  with  those  of 
my  deceased  relations,  (now  in  the  old  vault)  and  such  others 
of  my  family  as  may  choose  to  be  entombed  there,  may  be  de- 
posited. And  it  is  my  express  desire,  that  my  corpse  may  be 
interred  in  a  private  manner,  without  parade,  or  funeral  ora- 
tion. 

Lastly-,  I  constitute  and  appoint  my  dearly  beloved  Wife, 
Martha  Washington.,  my  Nephew,  William  Augustine  Wash" 
ington,  Bushrod  Washington,  George  Ste/ttoe  Washington,  Sam- 
uel Washington,  and  Lawrence  Leiiis,  and  my  ward,  George 
Washington  Park  Custis,  (when  he  shall  have  arrived  at  the 
age  of  twenty  one  years)  Executrix  and  Executors  of  this  Will 
and  Testament :  In  the  construction  of  which  it  will  be  readi- 
ly perceived  that  no  professional  character  has  been  consulted, 
or  has  had  any  agency  in  the  draught ;  and  that  although  it  has 
occupied  many  of  my  leisure  hours  to  digest,  and  to  throw  it 
into  its  present  form,  it  may,  notwithstanding,  appear  crude 
imd  incorrect ;  but,  having  endeavoured  to  be  plain  and  explic* 


APPENDIX.  :.IT 

it  In  all  die  devises,  even  at  the  expense  of  prolixity,  perhaps 
of  tautology,  I  hope  and  trust  that  no  disputes  v.  ill  arise  con- 
cerning; them.  But  if,  contrary  to  expectation,  the  case 
should  be  otherwise  from  the  want  of  legal  expressions,  or  the. 
usual  technical  terms,  or  because  too  much  or  too  little  has 
been  said  on  any  of  the  devises  to  be  consonant  with  law,  my 
will  and  direction  expressly  is,  that  all  disputes,  (if  unhappily 
any  should  arise)  shall  be  decided  by  three  impartial  and  hi- 
telligent  men,  kiiown  for  their  prolnty  and  good  understand- 
ing ;  two  to  be  chosen  by  the  disputants,  each  having  th© 
choice  of  one,  and  the  third  by  those  two— which  three  men, 
thus  chosen,  shall,  unfettered  by  law,  or  legal  constructions, 
declare  their  sense  of  the  Testator's  intention  ;  and  such  deci- 
sion is,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  to  be  as  binding  on  the 
parties  as  if  it  had  been  given  in  the  Supreme  Qonrt  of  the 
United  States. 

Jn  loitness  of  all,  and  of  eat  h  of  the  things  herein  contained,  I  have 
set  my  hand  and  ^eal,  this  ninth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  Qnc 
Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  JVlhety,^  and  of  the  Jndcjicn^ 
dence  of  the  United  States,  the  tvtenty fourth. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  (CI^J 

*  It  appears  th«  word  '•  Nine"  wai  omitted  by  the  Testator. 


A  SCHEDULE  OF  PROPERTY 

Comprehended  in  the  foregoing  WILL,  which  is  directed  to  be 
Sold  ;  and  some  of  it  conditionally  is  told  :  JVith  descriptive 
and  exJUanatory  notes  relative  thereto. 

In  VRGIJVLf. 

.'tlcres.  Price/!.  Dollars. 
Loudoun  Coimty,  Difficult  Run,  300    DolU.     6,666     a 

Loudoun  and  Fauquier,  Ashby's  Bent,  248 1      10       24,8 10  > 
Chattin's  Run,       885       8         7,080  5 

Berkly,  South  Fork  of  Eullskin,  1600 

Head  of  Evans's  M.  453 

In  Wormtey's  Line,  183 

2236     20  !4720      r 


548  APPENDIX. 

Mres.  Prices.  Dollara. 

Frederick,  bought  from  Mercer,            571  20  11,420     d 

Hampshire,onPotowmackRiveraboveB.240  15  3,600     c 

Gloucester,  on  North  River,                   400  about  3, GOO     / 
Nanseniond,  near  Suffolk,  one  third  ?  „„„ 

of  11 19,  acres,             ^  ^^^  «  2,984     g 
Great  Dismal  Swamp,  my  dividend    ? 

thereof,                         ^  about  20,000     A 

Ohio  River,  round  bottom,  587 

Little  Kenhawa,  2314 

Sixteen  miles  Lower  down,  2448 
Opposite  Big  Bent,  4395 

9744      10         97,44d      i 
Great  Kenhawa, 

Near  the  mouth,  west,  10990 

East  side  above,  7276 

Mouth  of  Cole  River,  2000 


Opposite  thereto,  ^^^^^1  ^oTi 

Burning  Spring,  1 25, 5  '^"^  ^ 


200,000  it 
MARYLA.N'D. 

Charles  County,                                       600       6          3,600  I 

Montgomery  County,                             519     12          6,228  ?» 

PEJ^MSYL  YANIA, 
Gi-eat  Meadows,  2i34       &         1,404    n 

NE  WYORK. 
Mohawk  River,  about  1000       6         6,000     • 

J^ORTHWEST  TERRITORY. 
On  Little  Miami,  839 

Ditto,  977 

Ditto,  1235 

3051        5         15,251     p 

KENTUCKY. 

Ilough  Creek,  3000 

Ditto,  adjoining,  2000 

5000       C         lOiOO© 

LOTS,  VIZ. 

CITY  OF  WASHIATGTOM 
Two  near  the  Capitol  Square,  634  cost>  .  ,  __„ 

963  dollars,  and  with  buildings,        5  ' 


APPENDIX. 


)49 


No.  5,    12,   13  and   14,  the  last  three 
water  lots  on  the  Eastern   Branch 
in  square  667,  containing  togethc 
34,438  square  feet,  at  12  cents, 


'^} 


JLEXJADRJJ. 

Corner  of  Pitt  and  Prince  streets,  half'' 

an  acre  laid  out  into  buildings  3  or( 

4  of  which  are  let  on  gi'ound  rent  at( 

three  dollars  per  foot,  -^ 


WIJVCHESTER 
A  lot  in  the  town,  of  half  an  acre 
and  another  on  the  commons,   of 
about  6  acres,  supposed, 


BATH  or    WJRM  SPRIJVGS 
Two  well  situated  and  handsome  buildings,  to 
the  amount  of  1 50/. 

STOCK. 
United  States  6  per  cents.  3746  "| 

■     Ditto,  deferred,  oqI^?250o[' 

Ditto,  3  per  cents.  2946  3  J 

Potowmack  Company,  24  shares,  cost  100/.  sterl. 
James  River  Company,  5  shares,  each  cost  100  ) 
dollars,  5 

Bank  of  Columbia,  170  shares,  40  dollars  each. 
Bank  of  Alexandria — ^besides  20  in  the  free 

school,  5 


Dollars. 

4,132  s 

4,000  t 

4,000  u 

800  V 

6,246  TO 

10,666  # 

500  y 


h,  6,8001 

I       1,000  r 


STOCK  LIVIJVG,  isfc. 
One  covering  horse,  5  carriage  horses,  4  riding  horses 
6  brood  mares  20  working  horses  and  mares,  2 
covering  jacks,  and  3  young  ones,  10  she  asses, 
42  working  mules,  15  younger  ones,  329  head  of 
horned  cattle,   640  head  of  sheep,  and  a  large 

stock  of  hogs,  the  precise  number  unknown 

g;^  My  manager  has  estimated  this  live  stock  at 
7000/ ;  but  I  shall  set  it  down,  in  order  to  make 
%  I'ound  sum,  at 


15,653 


Aggregate  amount 


g530,000 


5oO  APPENDIX. 


NOTES. 

(a)  THIS  tract,  for  the  fize  of  it,  is  valuable,  more  for  its  fitiiation  th»r» 
th^;  quality  of  its  foil  ;  though  that  is  good  for  farmirig,  with  a  confidera- 
ble  proportion  of  ground  that  might  very  eafily  be  improved  irao  mead- 
ow. It  lies  on  the  great  road  from  the  city  of  Wafhington,  Alexandria 
and  Georgetown,  to  Leefburgh  and  Winchefter.  At  Difficult  Bridge,  nine- 
teen yiiles  from  Alexandria,  lefs  from  the  city  of  Georgetown,  and  not 
more  than  three  from  Matildaville,  at  the  Great  Falls  of  Potowmack  there 
is  a  valuable  feat  on  the  premifes,  and  the  whole  is  CQnditionally  fold  for 
the  fum  annexed  in  the  Ichedule 

(b)  What  the  felling  prices  of  lands,  in  the  vicinity  of  thefe  two  tracti, 
are,  I  know  not  ;  but  compared  with  thofe  above  the  ridge,  and  others  be- 
low them,  the  value  annexed  v/ill  appear  moderate  ;  a  lels  one  would  not 
obtain  them  from  me. 

(c)  The  furrounding  land,  not  fuperiour  in  foil,  fitua^ion  or  properties 
of  any  fort,  fell  currently  at  from  twenty  to  thirty  Hollars  an  acre.  The 
loweft,  price  is  affixed  to  thefe. 

(d)  The  obfervations  made  in  the  laft  note,  apply  equally  to  this  tract; 
being  in  the  vicinity  of  them,  and  of  fimilar  quality,  although  it  lies  in 
another  county. 

(t)  This  tract,  though  fmall,  is  extremely  valuable.  It  lies  on  Potowmack 
River,  about  12  miles  above  the  town  of  Bath  or  Warm  Springs,  and  is  in 
the  fhape  of  a  horfefhoe  ;  the  river  running  almoft  around  it.  Two  hundred 
acres  of  it  is  rich  low  grounds,  with  a  great  abundance  of  the  largeft  and 
fineft  walnut  trees  ;  which  with  the  produce  of  the  foil  might,  (by  means 
of  the  improved  navigation  of  the  Potowmack)  be  brought  to  a  (hipping 
port,  wiih  more  eale,  and  at  a  fmaller  expenfe,  than  that  which  is  tranfport- 
ed  3«  miles  only,  by  land, 

(^f)  This  tract  is  of  fecond  rate  Gloucefter  low  ground  ;  it  has  no  im« 
provements  thereon,  but  lies  on  navigable  water,  abounding  in  (ifh  and 
oyfters.  It  was  received  in  payment  of  a  debt,  (carrying  inierefl)  and  vaU 
ued  in  the  year  1789,  by  an  impartial  gentleman,  to  800I.  N.  B.  It  ha« 
lately  been  fold,  and  there  is  due  thereon  a  balance,  equal  to  what  \i  an- 
nexed  in  the  Ichedule. 

(g)  Thefe  373  acres  are  the  third  part  of  an  undivided  purchafe  made  by 
the  deceafed  Fielding  Lewis,  Thomas  Walker  and  myfelf  ;  on  fall  convic- 
tion that  they  would  become  valuable.  The  land  lies  on  the  load  from  Suf- 
folk and  Norfolk,  touches,  (if  I  am  not  millaken)  fome  part  of  the  naviga- 
ble water  of  Nanfemond  river ;  the  Rich  Dilmal  Swamp  is  capable  of  great 
improvement  ;  and  from  its  fituation  mull  become  extremely  valuable. 

(h)  This  is  an  undivided  intereft,  which  I  held  in  the  Great  Difmal 
Swamp  company,  containing  about  4000  acres,  with  my  part  of  the  planta- 
tion, and  ftock  thereon,  belonging  to  the  company  in  the  faid  Swamp. 

(i)  Thefe  feveral  tracts  ot  land  are  of  the  firft  quality,  on  the  Ohio  river, 
Jn  the  parts  where  they  are  fituated  ;  being  almoft,  if  not  altogether,  rives 
bottoms.  The  fmallell  af  theie  tracts  is  actually  fold  at  ten  dollars  an  acre, 
but  the  confidcration  therefor,  not  received.  The  reft  are  equally  valuable, 
and  fold  as  high  ;  efpecially  that  which  lies  juft  below  the  Little  Kcnhawa, 
and  is  oppofite  to  a  thick  feltlementon  the  weft  fide  of  the  river.  The  four 
tracts  have  an  aggregate  breadth  upon  the  river  of  fixteeii  miles,  and  is 
bounded  thereby  that  diftance. 

(k)  Thelc  tracts  are  fituated  on  the  Great  Kenhawa  river,  and  the  firft 
four  are  bounded  thereby  for  more  than  forty  miles.  It  is  acknowledged 
by  all  who  have  ieen  them,  (and  of  the  tract  containing  1099O  acres,  whicW 


APPENDIX.  5S1 

I  have  been  on  myfelf,  I  can  affert)  that  there  is  no  richer  or  more  valuable 
land  in  ail  that  region  ;  they  are  conditionally  fold  for  the  fum  mentioned 
in  the  Ichedulc,  that  is,  aO0,OoO  dollars  ;  and  if  the  terms  of  that  falc 
are  not  complied  with,  they  wiU  comnnand  confiderably  more.  The  tract, 
gF  which  the  125  acres  is  a  moity,  was  taken  up  by  General  Andrew  Lewis 
and  myletf,  for,  and  on  account  of  a  bituminous  Ipring  which  it  contains, 
of  fo  inflammable  a  nature  as  to  burn  as  freely  as  Ipirits,  and  is  nearly  as 
difficult  to  extinguifh. 

{ i)  1  am  but  little  acquainted  with  this  land,  althotigh  1  have  once  been 
on  it.  It  was  received  (many  years  lincc)  :u  dilcharge  of  a  debt  to  me  frora 
Daniel  Janifer  Adatos,  at  the  value  jnneried  thereto,  and  muft  be  worth  more. 
It  ii  very  level  ;  lies  near  the  river  Potowmack. 

(«)  This  tract  lies  ab«ut  30  miles  above  the  City  of  Wafliington,  not  far 
from  Kittoctan.  It  is  good  farming  land  and  by  thofe  who  are  well  ac- 
quaintei  with  it,  I  am  informed  that  it  would  fell  at  twelve  or  fifteen  dol- 
lars per  acre, 

(n)  This  land  is  valuable  on  account  of  its  local  fituation  and  other 
properties.  It  affords  an  exceeding  good  fland  on  Braddock's  road,  from 
Fort  Cumberland  to  Pittlburg,  and  befides  a  fertile  loil,  poffeiles  a  large 
quantity  of  natural  meadow,  !it  for  the  fcythe.  It  is  diftinguifhed  by  the 
appellation  of  the  Great  meadow*,  v.rheie  the  firfl  action  with  the  French  in 
1754  was  fought. 

(0)  Ihis  is  the  moity  of  about  aoOO  acres,  which  lemains:  unfold  of 
6071  acres  on  the  Mohawk  river.  (Montgomery  county)  in  a  patcni  granted 
to  Daniel  Coxe,  in  the  townfhip  of  Coxeborough  aiidCarolinas,  as  -will  ap- 
pear by  deed  from  Marinus  Willet  and  wife,  to  George  Clinton  (late  Gov- 
ernour  of  Newyork  and  myfelf.  The  latter  fales  have  been  at  fix  dollars  an 
acre,  and  what  reraaias  unlold,  will  fetch  that  or  more. 

(p)  The  quality  of  thel«  lands  and  their  fituations,  may  be  known  by  the 
iurveyors'  certificates,  which  are  filed  along  with  the  patents.  They  lie  in 
the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati  ;  one  tract  near  the  mouth  of  the  Little  Miami  ; 
another  leven,  and  the  third  ten  miles  up  the  fame.  I  have  been  informed 
that  they  will  command  more  than  they  are  eftimated  at. 

(q)  Vox  tlie  dekription  of  theie  tracts  in  detail,  fee  General  Spotfwood's 
letters,  filed  with  the  other  papers  relating  to  them.  Befides  the  general  good 
quality  of  the  land,  there  is  a  valuable  bank  of  iron  ore  (hereon,  which 
when  the  fettlement  becomes  more  populous  (and  fettlers  are  moving  that 
way  very  faft.)  will  be  found  very  valuable  ;  as  the  Rough  Creek,  a  branch 
•f  Green  River,  affords  ample  water  for  furnaaes  and  forges. 

LOTS,  VIZ. 

CITY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

(r)  The  two  lots  near  the  Capitol  in  fquare  634,  coft  me  963  dollar* 
only.  But  in  this  price  I  was  favoured,  on  condition  that  I  fhould  build 
two  brick  houfes,  three  ftsries  high  each  ;  without  this  leduction,  the  icllinj 
prices  of  thele  lots  would  have  coft  me  about  135O  dollars,  Thefe  lots,  • 
■with  tiie  buildings  thereon,  when  completed,  will  ftand  me  in  I5,c00  dol- 
lars at  Icaft. 

(sj  Lots  No.  5,  12,  13,  and  14,  on  the  Eaftern  branch,  areadvantagcouf- 
ly  lituated  on  the  water,  and  ;<khough  many  lots,  much  leis  convenient, 
have  fold  a  great  deal  higher,  I  will  rate  thele  at  la  cents  tUe  Iquare  fool 
•oly. 

ALEXANDRIA. 

(t)  For  this  lot,  though  unimproved,  I  have  rcfufed  3500  dollars.  It 
has  fmce  been  laid  out  into  proper  fized  lots  for  building  on  ;  three  or  four 
of  which  are  let  on  ground  rent  forever,  at  three  dollars  a  foot  on  the  ftroet, 
«od  thii  piice  is  alted  for  bath  fronts  on  Pitt  and  Piuiccli  ftreets. 


^- 


552  APPENDIX. 

WINCHESTER. 

(u)  As  neither  the  lot  in  the  town  or  common  have  any  improvtments  oa 
them,  it  is  not  eafy  to  fix  a  price  ;  but  as  both  are  well  fituated,  it  is  prefum- 
ed  that  the  price  annexed  to  them  in  the  fchedule,  is  a  reafonable  valuation, 

BATH. 

(v)  The  lots  in  Bath,  (two  adjoining)  coft  me  to  the  beft  of  my  recol- 
lection, between  fifty  and  fixty  pounds,  20  years  ago  ;  and  the  buildings 
thereon,  150  pounds  more.  Whether  oroperty  ihere  has  increaled  or  de- 
crealed  in  its  value,  and  in  what  condition  the  houles  are,  I  am  ignorant  ; 
but  luppofe  they  are  not  valued  too  high. 

STOCK. 

(w)  Thefe  are  the  fums  which  are  actually  funded  ;  and  though  wo 
more  in  the  aggregate  than  75,66  dollars,  (land  me  in  at  lead  ten  thoufand 
pounds,  Virginia  money,  being  the  ;imo'jntof  bonded  and  other  debts,  due 
to  me,  and  difcharged  during  the  v/ar,  when  money  had  depreciated  in  that 
rate,  i^^znd.  was  fo  fettled  by  publick  authority. 

(x)  The  value  annexed  to  thefe  fhares  is  what  they  have  actually  coft  me, 
^r\■^  is  the  price  affixed  by  law  ;  and  although  the  prefent  Wling  price  is  un- 
der par,  my  advice  to  the  Legatees,  (for  whofe  benffii-  tney  are  intended, 
efpecially  thofe  who  can  afford  to  lie  out  of  tH«  money)  is  that  each  fhould. 
take  and  hold  one;  there  being^  a  mTaJ  certainty  of  a  great  and  inCreafing 
profit,  arifmg  from  them  in  the  courfe  of  a  few  years. 

(\  J  It  IS  fuppoled  that  the  fhares  in  the  James  River  Company  muft  be 
productive  But  of  this  I  can  give  no  decided  opinion,  for  want  of  more 
accurate  information. 

fzj  Thefe  are  the  nominal  prices  of  the  fhares  in  the  banks  of  Alexan- 
dria and  Columbia;  the  felling  prices  vary  according  to  circumflances  ; 
but  as  the  Itock  ulually  divide  from  eight  to  ten  per  cent  per  annum,  they 
muft  be  worth  the  former,  at  leaft,  fo  long  as  the  banks  are  conceived 
to  be  fecure,  although  from  circumftances,  they  may  fomefimcs  be  below  it. 

The  value  of  the  live  ftock  depends  more  upon  the  quality  than  quantity 
of  the  different  fpecies  of  it,  and  this  again  upon  the  demand  and  judgment 
or  fancy  of  purchafeis. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

Mount  Verno?i,  July  9,  1799. 


VIRGINIA,  Fairfax,  ss. 

I  George  Dene  ale.  Clerk  q/"  Fairfax  County  Court,  do 
hereby  certify.,  that  the  foregoing  copy  of  the  Last  Will 
and  Tentament  of  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  de- 
ceased, late  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
nvith  the  Schedule  annexed,  is  a  true  copy  from  the  origi- 
nal recorded  in  my  office. 
Jn  testimony  ivhereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  thit 
ttventythird  day  of  January,  1800, 

GEORGE  DENEALE. 
Clerk  of  Fairfax  County^ 


i  v^'. .. 


'^s^m 


